Nikos Markogiannakis: Sadness with the sense of death all over it
Nikos Markogiannakis grew up in Crete (Greece). At the age of 18 moved to Athens to study graphic arts. Designing artwork for heavy metal bands begun in 2003 when releasing a metal zine and starting working doing logos and covers for bands who were also included in the zine, Crossover, Obduktion, Ravencult and more. My technique is based on photography. I travel across Europe taking photos anywhere allowed. I also take photos at my photo studio, elements of my work, draws I make, color paintings and stuff. Then everything is combined digitally on the computer. I do take directions from the bands involving the concept of the artwork, some color preferences and elements they want to include in their artwork.
I love symbolism, I love everything that makes your mind start working, I prefer ideas hidden behind a picture, a painting or a verse than shouting in the middle of it. I really like the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood art, it was elegant, romantic, sad with the sense of death all over it. Death and sadness has a strong influence on my work, in my head everything becomes a bit more interesting if you add a bit of those in it. My philosophy is creating beautiful and high quality works. Making photographic compositions and layouts, respecting the rules of photography and graphic design.
My inspiration mostly comes from music. I love music, I love clever lyrics, old music covers. I love watching the work of other artists also, photographers, painters, illustrators. I watch films, I try to read books but I cannot say that they influence my work, for some reason I cannot include them in my work.
Interview by Alex Milazzo – Copyright 2015 © Heavy Music Artwork. All rights reserved.
