The exhibit – Seeking the Ancient Kallos (Beauty) – by American fine art photographer J. Joshua Garrick, made history as the first exhibit in the 125-year history of the National Archaeological Museum of Greece to be created and presented by a NON-Greek Artist. That exhibit opened September 12, 2013 in Athens and was extended twice before moving to the Sismanoglio Megaron (Palace) in Istanbul, Turkey, where it opened on January 31, 2014. The popularity of the exhibit in Turkey broke all attendance records at the Sismanoglio Cultural Center, and it was extended twice in Turkey, as well.

Official National Archaeological Museum of Greece portrait of Josh Garrick (with work in background) – “The Little Jockey” – that makes Josh Garrick the first NON- GREEK IN THE WORLD to have a piece of ART in the permanent collection of Greece’s largest and most prestigious museum

That exhibit ‘came home’ to America, hosted by the Consulate General of Greece in New York City, and opened on April 10, 2014. The history-making exhibit was also extended in New York City, where it may be viewed at the Greek Consulate until May 20.

Now, the part of the exhibition that remained in Europe will open to the Public on May 17 at the Greek Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, which means that – for FOUR DAYS, Artist J. Joshua Garrick will have his exhibition on view on TWO CONTINENTS.

Poster for European version of Garrick Exhibit set to OPEN to the Public in Brussels, Belgium on May 17. 

Josh in front of the Artwork in the permanent collection of the Arts + History Museums Maitland – given to the Museum by Catherine and George Kassianides

Josh in front of the PARTHENON in Athens, Greece.  Currently under-going renovations, Josh is the ONLY AMERICAN granted access to the ROOF of the Parthenon to do what became his most famous photo shoot.

“Team Greece” – those, from BOTH sides of the Atlantic, who had the most to do with the exhibition coming together – meet for the first time at the Greek Consulate in New York City where the exhibit opened on April 10, 2014.  It has now been extended to run through May 20.

The Greek Embassy in Brussels is at # 6 Rue des Petits Carmes. Coordinated by Konstantinos Tzitros of the NGO Kultur’ Art Bridge, and curated by renowned Art Consultant and historian Iris Kritikou, the exhibit will remain there until June 18.

Josh in France – but it is France of Disney’s Epcot Theme Park (not Europe).

In addition, Garrick’s work may always be seen at JAI Gallery in Orlando, Florida (jaigallery.net)

Josh in front of his works at JAI GALLERY in Downtown Orlando.  Jai Gallery (jaigallery.com) represents Josh Garrick exclusively in the United States.

About the exhibit

With an educated idealism and a sincere love for his subject, J. Joshua Garrick imaginatively captures unexpected angles of Greece’s sculptures and monuments in images that are then printed with an innovative laser technology on brushed aluminum. This technique gives the works an enhanced dimensional depth. Garrick’s photos offer a uniquely personal view of often unseen details of the sculptures, reminding viewers that these statues were once living, breathing people, while the titles of the works express the Artist’s life-long study of Ancient Greece.

Josh with Arts Patron Ed Herbst who purchased this work and presented the work to the Orlando Museum of Art for their permanent collection.

The title of the exhibit ‘Seeking the Ancient Kallos (Beauty)’ speaks to Garrick’s desire to penetrate the raw materials of classical beauty with an eye developed over decades of photographing the sculptures and monuments of Greece. Garrick's works capture his love, and philhellenic respect, for the sophisticated creations of Greece’s ancient artists. His decades-long involvement with the art of Greece takes on an additional dimension as he states, "I hope to remind the people of Greece of the primary role of Greek culture as the cradle of Western art and, respectively, the inseparable relationship of modern Greece to Europe. That includes the very real wealth of history which Greece will always have to share with the rest of the world.”

Josh with Dr. George Kakavas, Director of the Natl Arch Mus. of Greece.  It was Dr. Kakavas who “changed history” by inviting an AMERICAN Artist to exhibit in the Museum for the FIRST TIME in the Museum’s 125-year history

About J. Joshua Garrick

Having completed a Master of Fine Arts degree at Columbia University, J. Joshua Garrick entered a perpetual relationship of  love, inspiration, and creativity with Greece. Having made more than 40 trips to Greece, Garrick chose the creations of ancient Greek civilization as the subject of his life’s work. As an instructor of ancient Greek Art with the School of Visual Arts, Garrick has led 15 groups of American students to the cities of ancient Greece. In recognition of the hundreds of young Americans who have been introduced to Greek culture of through his teaching, Garrick was afforded the unique opportunity, by the Greek Ephorate of Antiquities, to enter the Parthenon and photograph that venerable building from the scaffolding and roof of the Parthenon during its current ‘renovation.’ His photographs have been seen in publications including Where Magazine, U&lc, New York Post, Popular Photography, BOCA Magazine, Photography New York, Star Ledger, Photo District News, Photo Design, Chronicle of Higher Education, the cover of Gallery Guide, and have been featured in Olympic Airways publications.   

Over a lifetime in the arts, Garrick has served as a panelist with the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, Massachusetts State Arts Council, The Florida State Cultural Institutions Program and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. He has served as an arts spokesperson before the U.S. Senate Arts Funding Commission and has articles in several national publications.  

Mr. Garrick achieved his ‘footnote in history’ as the first NON-Greek to present his Art in Greece’s leading Museum – the National Archaeological Museum, and for four days in May, Garrick will experience another ‘dream-fulfilled’ for any Artist.  He will have his works seen by the Public on TWO CONTINENTS.

Josh with FLORIDA State Senator Bill Nelson and wife Grace Nelson who are helping bring Josh’s new BOOK and his Artwork to the Florida House in Washington D.C.

An international lecturer on the Art and Culture of Ancient Greece, Mr. Garrick is available for interview or comment and may be reached at 407.399.5721 or by email at joshgarrick9[at]gmail.com.

All photos courtesy and copyright Josh Garrick