We had the good fortune of connecting with Petros Lales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Petros, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
From a young age, I had a natural inclination for creating stories, constructing things, and a deep love for physics. Throughout my life, these interests have led me down various paths. At the age of ten, I became involved in theater, writing, and playing music. By fifteen, I had been introduced to painting and drawing. As I gazed upon the artworks of fellow artists, I was struck by their ability to create images, and I knew instantly that I wanted to pursue a path as an artist. During my studies at the Athens School of Fine Art, I uncovered the realm of real-time computer graphics, immersing myself in the captivating world of video game development. I embraced these pursuits as a means to express myself effectively and to be surrounded by an ever-challenging and boundless community of creators.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is my way of having a conversation with the world. Each piece I create is born from a need to express an important idea, a joke, or a question for the viewer. I feel uncomfortable with the idea of making something only for the purpose of being visually pleasing, although finding pleasure in my work is still crucial. I want my art to be daring and limitless, inspiring curiosity and creativity in those who see it.

Right now, I work as a Technical Artist at People Can Fly, an innovative AAA gaming company. At the same time, I’m also working on my art and developing my indie video game called “God s’ Margarita.”

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was coming to the USA, completing my studies at the School of Visual Art, and establishing myself in New York. It wasn’t an easy journey, but I’ve come to appreciate the struggle. I had to take leaps into the seemingly impossible, as neither I nor my family had the financial means to achieve our dreams. Through hard work, creativity, and responsibility, I managed to secure scholarships and find jobs that made it possible for me to stay in the USA.

A valuable lesson I’ve learned is the importance of pursuing your passion, even if it’s not your main source of income. Our world is very business-focused, and it’s easy to let life go by while working on someone else’s dream. Money isn’t the first thing that comes – it’s the friendships and community. And if that community isn’t physically around you, it’s definitely thriving online. That’s how I turned my passion for technical art into a profession.

My career goal is to develop my own video games along with my Art, using them to critique or express love towards society, and to uplift the creativity and aspirations of others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To begin, I’d introduce them to some of my favorite food spots in NYC, like Stick To My Pot for amazing dumplings and pao, HARBS Chelsea for exceptional cakes, The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for ice cream enthusiasts, and Tallgrass Burger for those who love chicken burgers.

Afterward, we’d spend time hanging out at Central Park and the MET. Every visit to the museum reveals a new section I’ve never explored before; it’s truly massive! Following that, I’d take them to Lower Manhattan, Greenpoint, or Dumbo to explore both established and emerging independent galleries and art organizations like :iidrr, Miguel Abreu Gallery, Minus Space, Smack Mellon, and AIR. I’d also suggest venturing on a day trip to locations such as Governors Island during open studios or Socrates Park, which consistently showcases impressive sculpture works.

Additionally, I would recommend a trip upstate to explore the wonderful museums, including Dia Beacon, Storm King Art Center, Magazzino Italian Art, and MASS MoCA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to my ASFA professor, Mantho Santorineo, who, against all odds, built one of the first and most innovative New Media Art programs in Greece and Europe. The program, along with Stavroula Zoi, who taught me coding, has been a pillar in my current career journey.

As for a book recommendation, I’d suggest “The Anarchist Banker” by Fernando Pessoa. It’s one of my favorite books due to its size and enlightening content.

I wish I could mention every single person who has been a support in my life, including the total strangers who have appeared next to me with kind words. To save you some time, let me mention some of the people who have inspired my art through their passion for what they do: Lale Georgia, Lales Kostas, Lales Charis, Yi Hsuan Lai, Antigoni Tsagkaropoulou, and Natasha Chuk.

Website: http://lalespetros.com/

Instagram: @lalespetros

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petroslales/

Twitter: @lalespetros

Facebook: @lalespetros

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LALESPETROS

Other: God s’ Margarita Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godsmargarita/ God s’ Margarita Twitter: https://twitter.com/sittingass Sitting Ass Games Website: https://www.sittingass.com/

Image Credits
Petros Lales

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