Panos (Tsolakos), sculptural ceramic vase, Italy, 1968

Born in 1934 in Chalkis, Greece, Panos arrived in Faenza in 1960 on a scholarship. He never left the city, becoming a key figure in contemporary ceramic sculpture—and not just within the local area.

After studying at the Art Institute for Ceramics and working in Carlo Zauli’s studio, he focused his artistic practice on stoneware and glazing techniques—specifically the use of ash and open flames. These methods gave his sculptures their distinctive flame markings, thick glaze runs, and intentional deformations.

In 1964, he participated in the Faenza International Ceramic Competition for the first time, placing second. In 1971, he won the *Premio Faenza* and first prize at the Gualdo Tadino International Ceramic Competition.

In 1972, his work was featured at the Venice Biennale.

That same year, he began a long-standing collaboration with Ceramica Iris, designing the ‘Logos’ series of floor and wall tiles. A notable later work is a column made of stoneware and gold (using the third-fire technique), created for the Athens Olympics and installed in Maroussi.

In his final years, he loved teaching and collaborating with students—particularly the young people at the Faenza Art High School and the IFTS program. A major exhibition, planned in collaboration with the MIC and the Carlo Zauli Museum, was scheduled for this year.

Some of his works are on display at the MIC in Faenza. His final piece, "Caleidos"—created with Art High School students in 2023—is installed in the entrance hall of the school’s Via San Nevolone building.