George Zongolopoulos, Untitled

Concerns about nature

The sculpture Untitled is part of the last, more experimental period of Giorgos Zongolopoulos’ work, where stainless steel is the main structural element.

In this stage of his artistic evolution, the sculptor renders his preoccupation with and concern about nature with new-found means.

For this reason, the materials he chooses are a lens and an actual tree branch, that he uses as ready-made material.

An alternative viewing of the sculptures

Lenses were a special and unique series of works by the artist during the second half of the 1980s.

George Zongolopoulos incorporated the lens in his pieces, in an effort to create an alternative viewing of his work through the enlargement and visual deformation of the sculptural object behind the lens.

His life in a nutshell

George Zongolopoulos (1903-2004) was born in Athens. He studied Painting at the Athens School of Fine Arts (1924-1930) under Thomas Thomopoulos. 

Between 1930-1938 he worked at the architecture department of the Ministry of Education. There he mostly studied temples, museums and school complexes. He resigned from his post to dedicate himself to sculpture.

In 2004 he established the George Zongolopoulos Foundation. He left a large part of his work to the Foundation.

Artistic influences

In 1937 Zongolopoulos travelled to Paris and became acquainted with the work of French sculptor Charles Despiau. In 1949, on a French Government scholarship, he continued his studies in Paris, under Marcel Gimond. 

In 1952 he moved to Italy and specialised in copper casting techniques on a scholarship from the State Scholarships Foundation of Greece. He also studied the works of Renaissance artists, such as Michelangelo, Andrea Pisano and Donatello. It was then that he turned from realism to abstraction, which distinguishes a large part of his work.

Zongolopoulos was also significantly influenced by the cubist movement, which is typified by bold geometric shapes. The sculpture Cor-ten (or DETH) is an example of the cubist influence in the work of the artist and one of the first modernist pieces in Greece (1966).

Favourite themes

Zongolopoulos dealt with moderation and harmony in his art, which remained people-centric throughout his productive years.

The artist gradually shaped his work to be in a direct dialogue with its surroundings. He was able to accomplish this by ingeniously incorporating movement, and the elements of water and sound into his sculptures.

Artistic style

Zongolopoulos was one of the most important representatives of new trends in modern-Greek sculpture of the 20th century. He started out with realistic representations of the human form. He gradually moved on to shapes and abstract renditions around 1960. As part of a structural concept, he created abstract compositions using metal.

A plethora of materials

Early on in his work Zongolopoulos used plaster, marble, stone and bronze. In the process, he added nickel, glass, plexiglass, stainless steel, lenses, springs, nails, pipes, umbrellas and rods, in various combinations.

Other than materials, his works also incorporate gaps, water, sound and movement as defining components. These elements are very important in conveying final impressions.

A recognised artist

Zongolopoulos has received numerous accolades. His works of art are featured in prominent public spaces in Greece, Europe and the USA. A number of Greek and foreign collections and museums are home to his pieces.

The artist participated in 11 Biennale exhibitions between 1940 and 2001. He also took part in dozens of solo and group exhibitions in Greece and abroad.

George Zongolopoulos at Alpha Bank

The Alpha Bank Art Collection also includes the following piece by the sculpture:

• Olive Tree

The work of art in our publications

Information on the sculpture Untitled by George Zongolopoulos can also be found in the Alpha Bank publications:

• The Alpha Bank Collection. Paintings – Prints – Sculptures, edited by Irene Orati. The publication accompanied the same-titled exhibition held at the Benaki Museum in 2005.

Buy the publication The Alpha Bank Collection. Paintings – Prints – Sculpture (Hardcover)  on the Alpha Bank e-shop (only available in Greek).

• Affinities: Flowers in Greek Art, 2007

In other literature

The sculpture Untitled by George Zongolopoulos is referenced in the book Zongolopoulos, by Dimitris Pavlopoulos (in Greek).

The Alpha Bank Art Collection is not open to the public.

You can visit it by appointment. Contact us to book your visit.