Giannis Vastardis studied at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (1983). Soon, he makes a turn for photography and in 1994 he decided to study what he had previously been a hobby at the FOCUS School of Photography and Video.
He has worked with many magazines, fashion magazines and advertising agencies and has a rich portfolio that includes fashion ,beauty and portraits of many personalities, including Greek and foreign politicians, scientists, businessmen and artists. He has also organized and edited photo exhibitions in Greece and the European Parliament, in Brussels.
From 2010 until now he teaches fashion and portrait photography at the FOCUS School of Photography and Video.
At the same time, his interest in social issues led him to work professionally or voluntarily with photography as a means of social inclusion and treatment in vulnerable social groups. Since 1994 he has been in charge of the Photographic Laboratory of the Independent Drug Unit 18 Ano, and since 2002 he is a Special Art Therapist at 18 Ano. As a therapist photographer, he has collaborated with the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), co-organizing special educational programs, photographic projects and exhibitions for socially excluded groups such as detoxification groups, incarcerated, abused women, refugees and others.
In 2017 he won the first prize in the international photo competition for charity, against breast cancer.
Collaborations with magazines:
Metro (1996-1999) Hellenic (1997-2004) Money & Life – Vitrine (1998-2000) MAX (2005-2007) L’OFFICIEL GREECE (2007-2008) GQ Romania (2010-2011) e.t.c
Collaborations with publishing and publishing organizations:
Lambrakis Press (VIMADONNA, BHMAGAZINO, MAIL – COSMOPOLITAN, MARIE CLAIRE, FREE) (1998-2008) IMAKO publishing (NITRO-DOWN DOWN – ESQUIRE, OK, DIVA) (2002-2010) TELETYPOS, Mega Channel (2004-2015) Attica Publications (GRAZIA – ELLE – CELEBRITY) (2007-2010) Liberis Publications (VOGUE-STATUS-GLAMOUR-HALLO, LIFE & STYLE, MEN’S HEALTH) (2005-2010) DOUSSIS Publishing (GLITTER, BODY, YOU) (2012-2015) KATHIMERINI (GREECE IS, GK, KAPPA, COSTA NAVARINO, AEGEAN BLUE, GASTRONOMOS) (2008 -2018) Hellenic (1997-2004) Money & Life – Vitrine (1998-2000) MAX (2005-2007) L’OFFICIEL GREECE (2007-2008) GQ Romania (2010-2011)
Collaborations with advertising agencies:
MCVICTOR & HAMILTON, GNOMI FCB, MSPS, LEO BURNETT, MCCAN, BOLD and others. (1999-2018)
Collaborations with clothing companies, jewelery accessories for campaign photography, catalog:
Look Book, E-shop, Still-Life (2006-2018)
Teaching / Photo Therapy:
Photography Professor Fashion / Portrait School FOCUS (2010-2018) Specialist Rehabilitation Unit Art Therapist Group 18 Upper (2002-2018)
Exhibitions curating:
Moments, (group), European Parliament, Brussels (1998) Closer, (group), European Parliament, Brussels (2003) Enlarged Dialogues (group), G. G. Vastardis, T. Zerdevas, M. Tsekou, National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), Athens (2017) Design-Implementation-Editing of Photographic Projects and Exhibitors BORDERLAND, workshops photos in the 2nd Korydallos Prison SBS and participation of the project at the MESA exhibition, National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), 2016 Enlarged Dialogues, Photographic Project and Student Group Report of the FOCUS School and Photographic Group 18 Upper National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), 2017 “Tripoli Canceled” photographic project for student group of FOCUS School and Photographic Group 18 Up and participation of the project at the What I Found After You Left exhibition, Naeem Mohaiemen, National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) 2017
Face Forward … into my home, personal exhibition (idea-implementation) portraits and stories of refugees, interactive project National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) 2017-2018
Puplications ,FaceForward book EMST 2017 portraits and stories.The book its also at the National Portrait Gallery of London and Australia
Distinctions:
2nd prize of International Photo Competition pink glove,photo competition 2016
1st Prize in International Photo Competition pink glove,photo competition 2017
Publications – Interviews – References (selection)
https://metalmagazine.eu/bi/post/article/14-exhibitions-in-14-cities-how-to-properly-start-the-year
http://www.faceforward.gr/
http://www.lifo.gr/team/lookbook/49048
http://www.tovima.gr/vimagazino/lastpage/article/?aid=911530
http://www.emst.gr/category/educational-programmes
http://www.emst.gr/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/face-forward-into-my-home