NEW YORK – Yannis Amoryanos builds a modern paradise with his paintings – where the mind wanders beyond reality through the vibrant, optimistic colors and shapes that interfere with and change the emotional world of the viewer.

Thanks to the kind sponsorship of John Catsimatidis, the National Herald had the opportunity to see the exhibition of Yannis Amoryanos, which took place at the community hall of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral on December 11.

In his exhibition, the artist included sculptures and jewelry he created, which, in combination with the paintings, filled the welcoming space of the Cathedral with light and energy.

Amoryanos studied painting, sculpture and jewelry making in Argentina and in the United States. He was born in Piraeus and came to New York in 1970. His artistic quests sent him to Spain, the famous country of light, flowers and love, where he lived for three years. His experiences there greatly influenced his future artwork.

He returned to NY, but soon left for Argentina, where he lived for 5 years. “I loved Argentina, and Argentina loved me,” he told the National Herald. It was there that he decided to set up a career and a gallery called “The Islands,” which later led him to more exhibitions in Venezuela, Uruguay, Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico, but also to a new gallery in NY – to where he again returned.

TNH asked Catsimatidis, the sponsor and longtime friend of the painter, about his own opinion and his particular interest in the work of Amoryanos. Catsimatidis said, “I really like Yannis’ paintings. I like the differentiation it creates using two similar concepts, such as peace and love. I also love animals and love the way he uses them in his work.”

Amoryanos is loved by the Greek-American community. This was especially evident at the exhibition with the arrival of friends and acquaintances who came to support him. He told TNH that he has particular love for the Greek-American community as well because they have always been supportive of him and all the work he has done through the years.

Nellie Logothetidis, an old friend of Amoryanos and a member of the Philoptochos, told TNH, “Yannis is an amazing artist and friend. I have known him from the first day he came to America. We have always been very close and I have not missed any of his exhibitions.”

The artist, whose work was once bought by Queen Sofia of Spain, is a simple man and continues to paint everything with the goal of creating a beautiful world filled with color, animals, Mediterranean light, reflections – all of this through a romantic but majestic perspective of the world and of of emotions.