Andonis Pothoulakis

Local artist Andonis Pothoulakis epitomizes the Rethymnon tradition of incorporating art into daily life. Andonis, a familiar figure to Galero regulars, used to own and run Retimo Gifts until he retired this year. He is a self-taught painter, who works with oils and acrylics, frequently using resalvaged wood as canvases.

His paintings focus on traditional and historical representations of the region, many depicting Rethymnon and environs during the Venetian and Turkish eras. Other influences on his work include religious figures and local myths and legends—for example, one of his works is a representation of the myth of the Drossoulites at Frankocastello on the South Coast. The Drossoulites are the shadowy images that manifest themselves in the dawn sea mists that occur in mid May. Legend has it that these are the ghosts of Cretan soldiers massacred by the Turks in the in a battle that took place in 1828 in and around the fortress.

If you want to find out more about Andonis and his art work you can email us at [email protected] or fill in the form on the Contact Us page and we will put you in touch with him.