Exhibition: “Cycladic Whispers”
Katharina Bolesch and Alexander Reichardt mark 25 years of creative presence on Naxos with their latest exhibition, Cycladic Whispers, presented at the Fish & Olive Gallery in the beautiful village of Chalki. Founded in 2006, the gallery now hosts this special anniversary exhibition, curated by Louisa Karapidaki.
Photography • Jewellery • Painting • Ceramics • Naxian Marble Sculptures
By: Katharina Bolesch & Alexander Reichardt
Curator: Louisa Karapidaki (Art Historian, AICA Member)
Duration: August 12 – October 12, 2025
Location: Fish & Olive Gallery, Chalki, Naxos
About the Exhibition
Opening to the public on August 12, 2025, Cycladic Whispers features a new series of works across multiple disciplines:
- Photography
- Jewellery
- Painting
- Ceramics
- Marble Sculptures
- These creations capture the essence of the Cycladic islands, infused with the colors and breeze of the Aegean Sea.
A Shared Love for Greece
Both artists have deep ties to Greece, its history, and culture—bonds formed in childhood and carried into adulthood. They chose Naxos as their home, stating: “Nowhere else did we feel as at home as in this paradise, Naxos.”
The Story of Fish & Olive
Founded on May 11, 2000 (see Our Story) in a restored building in Chalki, Fish & Olive began as a shared studio. After years of restoration, the Fish & Olive Gallery opened on August 11, 2006, inaugurated by Niki Goulandris, founder of the Goulandris Museum of Natural History. At the opening, she remarked:
“Alexander and Katharina honor the “eternal Greek symbols”, the olive tree and the sea!”
Katharina Bolesch (left) and Alexander Reichardt (right)
The Artists
As art historian Louisa Karapidaki notes, Alexander Reichardt is a lover of the sea and of the Mediterranean, a crossroads of civilizations. He crafts marble sculptures, paints porcelain objects, and creates jewellery where the fish motif is a recurring theme. His work, combining the deep blue of the sea with the white of the foam on its waves, stands out for its high aesthetics and refined minimalism.
Katharina Bolesch draws inspiration from images of daily life in the Naxian countryside. She creates realistic porcelain artworks that often focus on the olive tree, her main source of inspiration. In her hands, its branches and fruit are brought to life in three-dimensional form, rendered in the characteristic shades of green and the iridescent hues of the tree’s foliage.
About the Exhibition
Opening to the public on August 12, 2025, Cycladic Whispers features a new series of works across multiple disciplines:
- Photography
- Jewellery
- Painting
- Ceramics
- Marble Sculptures
- These creations capture the essence of the Cycladic islands, infused with the colors and breeze of the Aegean Sea.
A Shared Love for Greece
Both artists have deep ties to Greece, its history, and culture—bonds formed in childhood and carried into adulthood. They chose Naxos as their home, stating: “Nowhere else did we feel as at home as in this paradise, Naxos.”
The Story of Fish & Olive
Founded on May 11, 2000 (see Our Story) in a restored building in Chalki, Fish & Olive began as a shared studio. After years of restoration, the Fish & Olive Gallery opened on August 11, 2006, inaugurated by Niki Goulandris, founder of the Goulandris Museum of Natural History. At the opening, she remarked:
“Alexander and Katharina honor the “eternal Greek symbols”, the olive tree and the sea!”
The Artists
Alexander Reichardt
- Passionate about the sea and Mediterranean culture
- Works include marble sculptures, porcelain-painted objects, and jewellery centered on the fish motif
- Known for high aesthetics and minimalism in shades of Aegean blue and white
Katharina Bolesch
- Inspired by daily life in Naxos’ countryside
- Creates realistic porcelain art, often depicting olive tree branches and fruit
- Uses characteristic green tones and iridescent hues to convey the olive tree’s life-giving symbolism
Symbolism Behind “Fish & Olive”
- Fish: power, life, freedom, communication
- Olive Tree: nutrition, health, peace, rejuvenation, and immortality
The works of both artists radiate the light and aura of Naxos, echoing ancient civilizations and timeless symbols.
Practical Information
Exhibition: Cycladic Whispers
Dates: August 12 – October 12, 2025
Location: Fish & Olive Gallery, Chalki Square, Naxos, 84302, Greece
Learn more about The Gallery and the charming village of Halki, Naxos.
