Stephen Antonakos: Neon and Geometry

Stephen Antonakos was a pioneering artist who used neon in fine art. This retrospective showcases his diverse output, including neon sculptures, canvases, drawings, and collages. His work reflects an interest in illumination, incomplete geometric shapes, and mystical spirituality. Author David Ebony explores Antonakos's Greek heritage and legacy, as well as the spiritual and mystical aspects of his later works.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Publisher: Rizzoli International Publications

Prolific multimedia artist Stephen Antonakos, a pioneer in the use of neon in fine art, is celebrated in this comprehensive retrospective. Born in Greece in 1926, Antonakos' vibrant abstract neon sculptures are instantly recognizable for their bold colors and precise geometry. Alongside renowned artists like Lucio Fontana, Bruce Nauman, Keith Sonnier, and his compatriot Chryssa, Antonakos expanded the possibilities of neon art, introducing new perceptual and formal dimensions. This book showcases Antonakos' diverse body of work, including neon sculptures, canvases, drawings, travel collages, chapels, and gold pieces. His enduring fascination with illumination, incomplete geometric shapes, and an almost mystical spirituality permeates his entire oeuvre, from overtly religious pieces to playful assembled collages from his travels in Greece. In his later works, Antonakos incorporated neon lights behind painted or gold-leaf panels, creating gold halos reminiscent of Byzantine icons, a tradition that has long captivated this extraordinary artist. Author David Ebony delves into Antonakos' role as a central figure in the international avant-garde of the 1960s and 70s, exploring his Greek heritage and the spiritual and mystical aspects of his later works.

Dimension: 305 x 254 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780847872978