Venizelos G. Gavrilakis

Venizelos G. Gavrilakis, born in 1976 in Thessaloniki, Greece, is an internationally Senior Expert Art Conservator and Restorer. He specializes in art conservation and restoration of historic and medieval paintings, Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, and a wide range of cultural heritage artworks. Regarded as one of the few global specialist on Byzantine icon conservation, his experience extends also to antiquities and historic objects.

With over 30 years of distinguished international experience in the conservation and restoration of art and antiquities, Venizelos G. Gavrilakis is recognized as a leading expert in his field with a professional Diploma in Art & Antiquities Conservation and Restoration, along with a valid professional license. His career is further distinguished by master-level education and intensive hands-on training at Mount Athos, Greece, where he specialized in Byzantine iconography, traditional painting techniques, and art history. He later refined his expertise at the renowned Palazzo Spinelli Institute for Art and Restoration in Florence, Italy, focusing on the conservation of oil paintings, gilded artworks, and traditional gilding techniques.

Throughout his career, Gavrilakis has collaborated with prestigious institutions including the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Istanbul), the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Museum of Byzantine Culture (Thessaloniki), MOMus – Museum of Modern Art (Thessaloniki), numerous Metropolises in Greece and Istanbul, the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, esteemed art galeries and others.

Since 1994, Gavrilakis has worked internationally, applying museum-grade conservation techniques to historic cultural heritage artworks and antiquities across Greece, United States, Turkey, UAE and beyond. His extensive portfolio includes the restoration and conservation on high value art collection with masterpieces as Aivazovsky, Picasso, Renoir, ancient Fayum Egyptian (mummy portraits), Byzantine and Ottoman-era Paintings, medieval paintings, frescoes, marquetry, textiles, sculptures, metals, paper and diverse antiquties and historic and modern artworks.

In 2012, alongside with his wife Vaia A. Karagianni, he founded Ieri Parakatathiki Labs in Greece, which has become a leading art conservation and restoration laboratory, undertaking significant cultural heritage preservation and restoration projects in Greece and Istanbul. In 2021, Gavrilakis and VENIS STUDIOS attracted international media attention, featured by Getty Images, Reuters, CNN, the Greek National Television (ERT3), and numerous other outlets worldwide, highlighting their critical work in safeguarding cultural heritage. Notably, in October 2021, Gavrilakis and Karagianni were honored with an invitation by the Eminence Archbishop of America to conserve a significant post Byzantine icon of St. Nicholas in New York, for the visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States. In December 2022, Gavrilakis and Vaia A. Karagianni founded VENIS STUDIOS, an international art and antiquities conservation and restoration company headquartered in Istanbul, embodying “The Science and Art of Conservation & Restoration.” As President, Gavrilakis leads VENIS STUDIOS in delivering world-class conservation and restoration services for artworks, antiquities, and cultural heritage worldwide, upholding the highest ethical and professional standards. In 2024, VENIS STUDIOS expanded its professional activities to the UAE, establishing its base in Dubai. The company collaborates with reputable art galleries, organizations such as Dubai Culture, and private art collections, working on cultural heritage conservation and restoration projects as well as modern/contemporary art initiatives. Gavrilakis is a member of leading professional organizations such as KMKD, AIC, IIC, and the ROMOE Conservators’ Network. Gavrilakis is also a lecturer and keynote speaker. He has presented at prestigious institutions including Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts, Istanbul University, and international conferences such as HERITAGE ISTANBUL and Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" / NARATE Project (Erasmus+). He has contributed to the field of art conservation through teaching and publications at the international level. He has contributed to several art conservation documentaries produced for VENIS STUDIOS in collaboration with professional film companies and institutions such as MOMUS (Museum of Modern Art of Thessaloniki). These projects aim to raise public awareness and promote education on cultural heritage preservation.

Known affectionately in professional circles as “The Art Doctor,” Venizelos G. Gavrilakis has transformed art conservation and restoration into a discipline that blends science, art and ethics. His lifelong dedication to art conservation and restoration ensures that humanity’s shared cultural legacy is preserved, honored, and passed on to future generations.

• Featured by international media including Getty Images, Reuters, CNN, and ERT3, 2021-01-01
• Contributed to art conservation documentaries for VENIS STUDIOS, GRDISCOVERY

• KMKD
• AIC
• IIC
• ROMOE Conservators’ Network

VENIS STUDIOS – International experts in Art & Antiquities Conservation and Restoration, preserving cultural heritage with museum-grade practices worldwide.  

Global Presence: With hubs in Dubai (UAE), Greece, & Istanbul (Turkey), VENIS STUDIOS delivers professional conservation & restoration services worldwide—responding wherever art & heritage are at risk.  

Mission: To unite the science & art of conservation and restoration, preserving humanity’s shared cultural legacy with respect, precision, & care.  

Our Work: From medieval paintings, Byzantine icons, and historical artworks to modern art and archaeological objects, we apply museum-grade practices, scientific methodologies, & international ethical standards (IIC, ECCO, AIC, UNESCO).  

Vision: Cultural heritage is memory & identity. At VENIS STUDIOS, we conserve and protect it for current & future generations.

• Title: President of VENIS STUDIOS
• Date of Birth: 1976
• Nationality: Greek

• HERITAGE ISTANBUL, YYYY-MM-DD
• Sofia University 'St. Kliment Ohridski' / NARATE Project (Erasmus+), YYYY-MM-DD

• Art Conservation and Restoration - Professional Diploma - 1998-2001
• Licensed Art Conservation and Restoration of Paintings- 1996
• Licensed Art Conservation and Restoration of Gilded Artworks - 1996