Yorgos Kypris was born in Cyprus in 1954, he studied at the Istituto Statale d' arte ceramica in Faenza, Italy. He has presented his work in solo exhibitions in Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the USA, and has participated in group shows at museums and foundations in the USA, France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Greece, Cyprus and Hungary. His works and installations can be found in public and private collections in Europe, America and Asia. He has published articles in art magazines, and designed jewellery and ceramics for Greek and Italian firms. He lives in Greece and divides his time between Santorini, where he runs the main exhibition space for his work, and his studio in Athens.

The MATI Art Gallery was established at Fira, Santorini in 1990 with the aim of presenting the work of contemporary Greek artists to the island's visitors.

In its early years the gallery promoted the sculptural, painting, engraving and design creations of many different artists.

Today it displays exclusively the work of visual artist Yorgos Kypris, whose space installations, environments, sculptures and drawings attempt to stress the need for maintaining balance in Nature. They also pose questions about man's behaviour towards man as well as towards the environment.

MATI soon evolved into a major exponent of good taste and modern views on art. Its sensibility in matters of artistic, social and ecological interest has attracted a broad audience of diverse backgrounds and beliefs and helps them gain greater insight into the contemporary culture of Greece.

Click here to see the view from MATI Art Gallery.

Santorini is a favored from nature island with fertile volcanic earth, marine tradition and stragetical position in the South Aegean. The civilization produced since the prehistorical age, is evident in various forms of art. The island is considered extraordinary cultural destination due to the prehistoric, ancient and newer towns, the traditional settlements, castles and churches. The architecture on the island , subject of studies from great architects like Le Corbusier, is characterized from the unique domed undermined buildings constructed on and into the cliffs of Caldera.

Museums and collections present rare works of art drawn up from archaeological excavations in Akrotiri and Ancient Thira, and they mark out the multicultural character of Santorini. Music Festivals, Exhibitions of Contemporary art and art Galleries are the newest forms of art creation which continue the cultural tradition of the island.