“The artist has the right to express their personal opinion, react, and pose their own questions through this medium,” responds Christoforos Katsadiotis, whose works were vandalized yesterday (10.03.2025) by Nikos Papadopoulos, also known as “Nikis.” The vandalism occurred shortly after 12:00 PM during the exhibition “Sagene tou Allotou – Intermediate Space” where at least two paintings were damaged.
“The mode of expression in this specific case is poetic without depicting anything offensive. Naturally, no one is obligated to agree with me either ideologically or aesthetically,” the artist stated to Kathimerini. He further elaborated on how society uses religion to manipulate and control masses with threats, fear, and obscurantism.
Katsadiotis highlighted that when religion treats believers as sinners from the outset and threatens them with eternal damnation unless they comply, it constitutes a form of intimidation. He questioned the biographies and militaristic depictions of saints in churches, emphasizing the contradiction between spreading peace and love while being capable of violence.
He concluded by reflecting on the wars fought under religious pretenses today, viewing religion as the most kitschy element of our folklore, rich in miracles, tragedies, and curses—a modern mythology.