The Breeder

Radical, sometimes political and always on the pulse of Athens’ ever-evolving art scene, The Breeder Gallery is housed in an old ice cream factory and is well worth a visit.

Some describe The Breeder as the original pioneers of Athens’s contemporary art scene, always discovering, pushing, showcasing, and promoting a rich diversity of talent without boundaries – then projecting it for the world to see. 

Founded by Stathis Panagoulis and George Vamvakidis in 2002, The Breeder started life as a magazine for two years before the idea of a gallery blossomed, a natural progression in their quest to present boundless, Greek-centric modern art to the world. Based in the boho artsy neighbourhood of Metaxourgeio in a northern suburb of Athens, The Breeder’s home since 2008 is in a space designed by architect Aris Zambicos. 

In a district of warehouses and architectural salvage, Aris Zambicos’ project to restore the building encapsulated Athens’s reinventive soul, and the old ice cream factory went on to win an award from the Hellenic Institute of Architecture. Not only did it fit the brief of providing an achromatic palette of greys and blacks for the art to take centre stage over four floors, it also reflects the robust nature of Athens with its solid metal entry doors and chunky interior. Its stark white exterior is a fitting backdrop to art – such as Georgia Sagri’s arresting Deep Cut, 2020, a slash of red that garners attention immediately. 

Inside, the gallery plays host to a revolving array of artists; recent years have seen a diverse show of work, including Athens-born artist Aristeidis Lappas, whose show ‘Seven Days in New Crete’ was a colourful look at mythology in nature that follows the themes of life, death and sex. Another Athenian artist, Panos Profitis’ solo exhibition showed sculpture inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, while Olga Migliaressi-Phoca, who was born in Athens and is an alumnus of London’s Central Saint Martin’s College, showcased her unique reflective pop art projections in her exhibition called ‘Risky Business’. 

The Breeder is also known for the Breeder Open Studio that occurs several times a year for weeks at a time; an immersive exchange event that encourages artists to engage in their craft within the gallery, where curious art aficionados can book appointments to come and watch artists at work or play and develop a relationship with the making of art as well as connect with the artists themselves. 

An established part of the Athens art scene, The Breeder has global outposts, launching unknown artists into the art hemisphere and also representing at art fairs such as Frieze in London, Contemporary Istanbul, Art Basel and the Felix Art Fair in Los Angeles as well as artists who regularly grace numerous galleries worldwide such as famed Cork Street in London. If you’re in Athens, pop by The Breeder for a contemporary top-up of fantastic and thought-provoking art.