Born in Thessaloniki in 1946, he came into contact with art from a young age as his maternal family was active in graphic design. In the early ΄60s he began to paint systematically and took drawing lessons in preparation for studying architecture, although ultimately he enrolled in the School of Electronics.
He exhibited for the first time in 1978 in Thessaloniki. His painting is one of personal quests in various stylistic directions, his early works presenting both representational and abstract elements as well as geometrical themes. His favourite materials are specially processed paper, acrylic paint and gauze. His subjects are anthropocentric but also abstract. The major series in his work include tree trunks, landscapes, figures-portraits, and Lud, his toys.
He has presented his work in 20 solo exhibitions in Athens and Thessaloniki, and has participated in many group exhibitions in Greece and abroad.
His works can be found in the National Gallery, the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation, the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, the State Museum of Contemporary Art, the Ministry of Culture, the Florina Museum of Contemporary Art, the European Cultural Centre of Delphi, the Municipal Gallery of Thessaloniki and in major private collections. An album on his oeuvre, Γιώργος Κουβάκις: “Κορμός 1987-2010”, was published in 2010.