George Lappas, 3 sculptures

Antiquity as a source of inspiration

Lappas was inspired by depictions on ancient Greek coins, which he saw from a different point of view – that of the sculptor. This experimentation created interesting contrasts, both in size, from the small round surface of the coin to the considerable volume of a wall sculpture, and in materials, from valuable silver to rough iron.

Endless experimentation with iron

From early on, Lappas started using iron with great ingenuity and ease to shape the desired outcome. He also used this material in his works Mappemonde (1987) and Crapshoots (1988).

A play of light and shadow

The sculptor treated the metal surface as a writing board, and drew directly on it with the blow torch.

The circular field of the sculpture-coin is orchestrated, like a sheet of paper, through unexpected and harmonious fusions of vacuum and matter, which, in turn, create an artful and enchanting play of light and shadow.

The 3 sculptures

Owl

A wall sculpture created by the artist in 1996, which is a transformational rendition of the Athenian tetradrachm.

Nike

A wall sculpture created by the artist in 1996, which is the transformational rendition of the coin from Kaunos, Ancient Caria.

Smyrna

The artist drew the iconography from the silver tetradrachm of Smyrna, which depicts the head of a woman wearing a mural crown (the city Tyche).

His life in a nutshell

George Lappas (1950-2016) was born in Cairo. He has studied: 

• Clinical Psychology at Reed College, Oregon, USA (1969-1973). 
• Architecture at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London (1975).
• Sculpture at the Athens School of Fine Arts, under Giannis Pappas and George Nikolaidis (1976-1981).
• Sculpture at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts of Paris (1984). 

From 1992 until his untimely death in 2016, he was a professor of Sculpture at the Athens School of Fine Arts. 

Influences and features of his work 

Lappas was awarded a scholarship from the Watson Foundation in 1974 and travelled to India. There he studied Indian sculpture and architecture. He travelled throughout his life and was influenced significantly from his contact with other cultures. 

His pieces reflect his thought process on the relationship between sculpture and space. They have an intense scholastic, surreal and mystical side to them. 

In 1990 the artist’s technique and themes changed. He turned to more people-centric works, creating life-size figures. These figures feature metal mechanisms made of assembled parts. This allows them to change position and move. 

A recognised artist 

Lappas participated in the Venice Biennale in 1988 in Aperto. Other significant participations include the Biennale des Jeunes Artistes (1982) in Paris, the Europalia Arts Festival in Belgium (1982), the São Paulo Biennale (1987), the Venice Biennale (1990), the Gwangju Biennale (1995), the Documenta 14 (2017) in Athens and the ANTIDORON exhibition. 

His works are found in many private and public collections in Greece and abroad.

George Lappas at Alpha Bank

The Alpha Bank Art Collection also includes this piece Blue sculpture.

Bibliographical references 

Lappas’ sculptures are featured in the Alpha Bank publication, The Works, the Landscape, the Buildings. Works of Art at the Alpha Bank Premises in Agios Stefanos, 2014.

The 3 sculptures hang at HUB 26 in Thessaloniki.  

Visits can be arranged upon request, only for researchers. Contact us to book your visit.