Manolis Apostolakis was born in Heraklion, Crete in 1962. He studied at the Northeastern University of Boston and at the National Technical University of Athens (Electrical Engineering).

In 1989, he settled in Heraklion and devoted himself exclusively to painting. In March 1993, he moved to Corfu while studying under Corfiot painter Tassos Alamanos. In 1995, he left for Paris where he attended the ADAC School (engraving workshop of M – G. Havel) and he participated in the annual group engraving exhibition of ADAC in Paris (1995).

He returned to Corfu, and then settled permanently in Heraklion, Crete. He has presented his work in solo and group exhibitions, including the exhibition Touch 2006 (organized by the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, Crete) where he received a distinction, and in 2010 he participated in the Painting Biennale in Sardinia.

He operates a workshop in Heraklion where he teaches painting, and has been commissioned with important projects for works in public spaces. Manolis Apostolakis works also as a curator of exhibitions and venues and he undertakes the design of publications.