Boston University College of Fine Arts
The Intersection of Photography and Sculpture: Capturing Sculptor Robert Bodem
Personal Reflection: The Art of Capturing a Sculptor
As a photographer, the opportunity to capture a sculptor like Robert Bodem offers a unique challenge and a beautiful intersection of two art forms. Just as Robert shapes clay to create form, I use light, shadow, and composition to shape an image. The parallels between our crafts were undeniable during the photoshoot. Sculptors and photographers alike work with space, form, and texture, relying on an instinctive understanding of how to turn raw material—whether physical or visual—into something profound.
There’s a delicate dance between the subject and the camera when photographing an artist, especially one whose entire being is rooted in the physical creation of art. With Robert, I sought to emphasize the hands, the expressions, and the pauses between moments—those fleeting gestures that seem to embody his sculptural philosophy.
Robert Bodem’s Philosophy: Drawing in Space
Robert Bodem’s work is deeply rooted in the concept of “drawing in space,” a philosophy that transcends traditional sculpture. As he shared in his interview for the College of Fine Arts magazine, Robert sees sculpture as a way to create dynamic, living forms, often suspended between stillness and movement. His sculptures are not just static objects but explorations of form, designed to engage the viewer from every angle.
In his words, “Sculpture is about the negative space as much as it is about the object itself.” This thoughtful balance is central to his art, where the spaces between forms are just as vital as the material used to create them. The interview explores his journey as an artist, from his rigorous training to his teaching at the Florence Academy of Art, where he helps others discover their potential in capturing the human form in space.
Photographing Robert Bodem for Boston University’s College of Fine Arts magazine was not only a personal artistic journey but also a meaningful collaboration with an institution dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists. The opportunity to work with the College of Fine Arts allowed me to contribute to an environment where creativity is cultivated and celebrated.
Capturing Robert’s portrait and sculpture work was more than just a photoshoot —it was about telling a story that would resonate with young, aspiring artists. Through these images, I hope to inspire students to push their creative boundaries, to see art in the spaces between forms, and to understand that every gesture, like every stroke of the sculptor’s hand, holds the potential for profound expression. I believe these portraits will serve as a reminder that creativity knows no limits and that art, whether through photography or sculpture, has the power to inspire and transform.
For a deeper dive into Robert’s journey and the photoshoot, you can view the full interview and images in the latest issue of the Boston University College of Fine Arts magazine cover.
Georgios Xenos
“We don’t know after all who is really imprisoned. The one outside or the one inside? And what kind of prison is this? Many people out there remain voluntarily incarcerated. So, I would tell you that many times being inside also involves a kind of asceticism. It has a loneliness characterized by greater freedom. So it always depends on the reason for which you are imprisoned”.
Interview to Giannis Padazopoulos
Georgios Xenos was born in Athens in 1953. He studied at the Ecole nationale superieure des Beaux Arts- Section des Arts Plastiques in Paris, during the years 1976 – 1982.
From 1983 to 1986 he lived and worked in Athens. In 1987 he lived and worked in Mönchengladbach, Germany.
From 1988 to 1992 he lived and worked in Berlin, where he experienced the historical events of the Fall of Berlin’s Wall. During this period, he exhibited his work in Winckelmann Museum, Stendal (June – October 1991) and in Pergamon Museum, Berlin (January – November 1992).
Since 1993 he has been living and working in Athens.
Vasilis & Marina Theocharakis
Vassilis and Marina Theocharaki are the inspiration and guiding force of the Theocharakis Foundation.
Vassilis Theocharakis is a multifaceted personality at the helm of a dynamic and diversified group of large-scale businesses: from the automotive industry, banking, manufacturing and healthcare, to cosmetics, digital systems and shipping.
An equally important aspect of his life is painting. Alongside his legal studies, he attended classes with the great Greek painter, Spyros Papaloukas. His first exhibition was in 1957 at the International Youth Festival in Moscow and since then he has exhibited his works inside and outside Greece, some of which adorn important public and private collections. He has been awarded the titles: Chevalier de La Légion d'Honneur of the French Republic, Archon Cartulary by the Ecumenical Patriarch and of the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan. Marina Theocharaki has had an active relationship with the arts for many years, with many exhibitions and publications to her credit.
Portrait photography for Grand Bretagne Magazine.
George Marinos
George Marinos is a poet, songwriter and storyteller. He was born and raised in Athens. From a very early age, as a troubadour, he was kneaded in Plaka's bars. He emigrated in the early 1960s with a suitcase of dreams to travel all over Europe. For a long time he stayed in France and Switzerland, to end up in 1965 in Denmark where he started a family and many books. There he worked as a clown educator, for several years, where he also created the "suitcase theater". Many of his books have been translated into Danish and Swedish for children, and have been published successfully in these countries. He has also composed many of his songs, which were released in the Greek discography. To date, he has written 36 short and poetic books as well as theater for children, while his poems are contained in the textbooks of the first and second grade of primary schools. Extremely talented, he has become known as a pedagogue, novelist, poet, composer, while at the same time he worked as a clown in many countries, such as: Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Italy, Switzerland, Catalonia, etc. In this last capacity he has also appeared in children's shows on Greek television. In recent years he has been living permanently in Aegina.
