Born in 1937 in the village of Plekati, situated on the eastern edge of the Gramos mountain and close to the Albanian border, Apostolos Dedes began his life amidst the tumultuous backdrop of post-war Europe. During his childhood, he was amongst the countless Greek children uprooted from their homes and relocated to Eastern European countries. This formative experience shaped his future artistic endeavours.

Following his displacement, Apostolos spent his adolescent years in Sinaia, Romania, where he attended school and discovered his passion for painting under the tutelage of skilled instructors. Inspired by the picturesque landscape surrounding the Peles Castle, Pelishor Castle, Sinaia Monastery, and the Franz Joseph and Saint Anne Rocks, his artistic foundation took root.

Upon returning to Greece and completing his mandatory military service, Apostolos moved to Athens and immersed himself in the vibrant art scene. He honed his craft alongside accomplished artists, showcased his work in numerous group exhibitions, and held several solo presentations. His debut solo exhibition in Athens garnered favourable critiques from esteemed critics Spyros Panagiotopoulos of Ethnos and Miltos Paraskevaidis of Kathimerini.

While attending a solo exhibition in Veria, Apostolos crossed paths with Annette, a fellow painter who shared his dedication to art. Their mutual passions ignited a profound connection that eventually led them to Paris in 1962, seeking further education and exposure to avant-garde artistic movements. There, Apostolos encountered influential expressionist painters like Serge Poliakoff and Alexandre Istrati, whose teachings significantly influenced his distinctive style.

Returning to Greece, Apostolos and Annette resettled in Athens before moving to Veria, where they established their creative workshop. Over the ensuing decades, Apostolos continued to exhibit his works extensively throughout Greece and Europe, leaving a lasting impact on the artistic communities he engaged with.

Throughout his career, Apostolos remained deeply connected to his Greek heritage, infusing his artwork with the essence of his homeland. His depictions of Greek women embodied ancient, Byzantine, and modern sensibilities, while his still lifes featured cherished symbols of Greece – a chair, a clay jug, a pomegranate, a lion, and oak leaves.

Apostolos’ legacy extends beyond his prolific body of work, as his contributions to the arts extended into social circles. He cultivated meaningful relationships within the artistic community, forming a strong bond with Xirolivados, whose surroundings echoed the landscapes of his native Plekati. In recognition of his Epirotic origins, Apostolos actively participated in events organized by the Pan-Epirotic Confederation of Greece and the Cultural Association of Epirotes of Imathia.

Tragically, Apostolos lost his beloved partner Annette towards the end of 2022. Shortly afterwards, at the age of 85, Apostolos joined her in eternal rest. Today, Apostolos Dedes’ works grace various galleries, institutional collections, private residences, and his personal studio, which has been entrusted to his family.

Veria, renowned for its rich artistic heritage, continues to produce exceptional talent, making it deserving of the moniker ‘Visual City.’ However, the lack of adequate space to preserve and showcase these artistic treasures remains a significant challenge. Establishing a Municipal Gallery in Veria, housed in the newly acquired old courthouse, would provide an essential platform to celebrate and promote the city’s artistic legacy, ensuring that the works of distinguished artists like Apostolos Dedes continue to inspire generations to come.