Self-Made Man

“All my life I have wanted to write a book … or build an airplane … or invent some kind of industrial miracle. I had to achieve something. " (From the memoirs of George Costakis).

The expression self-made man - "a man who made himself" - like no other suits George Costakis. With only seven classes of formal education, he defined the cultural vector of his era. Costakis was an absolute expert in the history of the avant-garde, he knew ancient Russian art well, and always kept informed of the contemporary artistic trends of the twentieth century. He communicated on equal terms with both great scientists, writers, musicians, politicians, as well as ordinary workers or simple villagers. Everyone who met him was impressed by his endless energy, strength of conviction and sense of perspective.

Like any extraordinary personality, George Costakis often caused contradictory judgments. But even those who did not accept this "arriviste" and "cunning Greek" paid tribute to his accomplishments - he saved absolute masterpieces from oblivion. Almost all his life Costakis had to prove the importance of his life's work, endure slander and accusations, and finally experience the bitterness of exile. Only recently the greatness of his personality as well as the scale of what he managed to do has become an undeniable certainty.