NEW YORK (ANA-MPA)- Artist Steven Antonakos, a prominent member of the Greek diaspora, died in New York City aged 87, passed away last weekend.
Known for his use of neon lights in sculpture, Antonakos had exhibited his work at Faros gallery and the Onassis Cultural Center, both on Syngrou Avenue, and became widely known for his installation Search, specifically designed for the Old Olive Factory in Elefsina in 2011, his last show in Greece. {66462}
The same year he had also presented a gift to the Christian and Byzantine Museum in Athens in memory of the institutions late director and friend Dimitris Konstantios.
Antonakos, baptised Stylianos, was born in Gythio, Lakonia prefecture, in 1926. In 1930 his family emigrated to New York City, which became his home to the end of his life. His art, which also included works on paper, examined the connection of color with space and had made a name for him as early as the 1960s because of the new way he used neon lights in geometric sculptures, panels and public works.
His works were shown in over 250 group and over 100 solo exhibitions in the US, Europe and Greece, while over 45 of his large-scale public works have been installed in the US, Europe and Japan, in museums and public spaces. In Athens, his installation Procession is on permanent display at the Ambelokipi metro station.