Herakles Lino Tesco is an architect and visual artist, born in 1981 and originally from Ikaria. He graduated from the Polyclinic High School of Piraeus, in the field of Applied Arts. He moved to England at the age of 18 where he studied at the University of Plymouth. In 2002 he received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. In 2003 he returned to Greece, to the city of Volos, where he continued his studies and received a Diploma in Architecture from the University of Thessaly. Since 2008 he has been a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece and has an office and art studio in Piraeus. As an Architect, he has worked on many restorations and renovations of buildings and homes as well as new constructions and has specialized in the design, construction and operation of tourist accommodation and catering establishments where he participates in business in corporate forms. He has collaborated with various companies in the design of identity and advertising campaigns as well as special applications, exhibitions and installations. At the same time, he participates in the organization of cultural events and is a founding member of the Ikaria Film Festival and Atheras Project.
Lino Tesco’s Art:
His main passion is painting. Since his school years he liked to intervene in the images of school books and create new humorous interpretations with them. In the mid-90s until 2000, he was involved in street art and graffiti under the tag Joker. Since 1995, he has been creating various works, with mixed media, paintings, sculptures, installations and digital works. He signs his works with the surname Tesco.
His art manages to contain bold and substantial themes despite the initial superficial appearance of the first reading. A combination of humor and political - moral messages through compositions of Neo-Pop aesthetics, Mural colors where the combination of geometric outlines and the strict architectural composition converse with the street art culture. The colors are vivid - clear that refer to industrial - graphic that often contrast with the thick - handmade line. Yes, the pattern is repetitive, with specific images and linear meanders appearing again and again in various forms, in many works, but this is the artist's trademark. The title cards always have typographical or spelling errors and are usually idioms and paraphrases. At first glance, the works are pleasant, bright even when they deal with serious and often unpleasant topics. On second reading, the viewer easily understands hidden messages, political comments or clear references that give the works their full dimension.
Works by Lino Tesco have been included from time to time in several exhibitions in Greece, England, Spain and USA, publications, magazines and websites.