Stephen Antonakos, Entrance

Dialogue between different materials

The piece Entrance is a representative sample of the artistic idiom that Stephen Antonakos developed from the 1960s onwards, when he incorporated neon lights into his compositions.

It is made up of 4 rectangular aluminium surfaces, with neon tubes in vivid colours installed behind the piece. It is an austere composition, marked by a minimalist approach. The coloured reflections on the wall behind the aluminium surfaces highlight the purity of the geometrical forms. At the same time, they create a sense of a dialogue between 2 seemingly opposite elements: the ethereal light and the solid metal. This way, the artist attempts to expand the notion of materiality and transform the surrounding space.

In search of spirituality

Light plays a leading role in Stephen Antonakos’ oeuvre. Through its use, the artist wanted to explore the concept of spirituality and the aesthetics of abstraction. 

By 1996, when he created this specific piece, his distinct artistic practice had already been established as unique.

His life in a nutshell

Stephen Antonakos (1926-2013) was born in Agios Nikolaos, Lakonia. In 1930 he settled with this family in New York. He started painting in early childhood.

Antonakos was self-taught. In 1960 he was one of the first artists to use neon lights as a means of expression, a device which established him in the international art scene.

Artistic influences

The artistic idiom of Stephen Antonakos was formulated through the study of abstract geometry and Russian constructivism.

The influences he had from artistic pioneers, such as Alberto Burri, were also significant.

The use of neon

Stephen Antonakos was a pioneer, forming the shape of modern art with the use of neon. The constant flow of light rays was a main feature of his work as early as the mid-1970s.

As of 1980 Antonakos used neon light to create poetic oppositions between the light of solid shapes and the radiance of electric light. The use of neon transcends the minimal sculptural intervention in space, becoming a purely structural element of the artist’s work.

Stephen Antonakos in the Alpha Bank Art Collection

The piece Saint Christopher by Stephen Antonakos is also part of our Art Collection.

Both works are telling examples of Neon Art and the artist’s artistic idiom, which combines neon lights with geometrical forms.

Participation in exhibitions

The piece Entrance by Stephen Antonakos has been featured in the Alpha Bank exhibitions:

• “The Alpha Bank Collection. Greek Art from 1920 until Today” held at the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art in 2006.
• “Works by Peloponnesian Artists” held at Alpha Bank's Cultural Centre in Nafplio in 2006.
• “The Alpha Bank Collection. Greek Art from 1950 until Today” held at the Municipal Art Gallery of Ioannina in 2019.

It was also featured in the exhibitions:

• “Stephen Antonakos: A Retrospective”, Benaki Museum, 2008.
• “Stephen Antonakos. Light: Stephen Antonakos and the Russian Avant-Garde”, MOMus-Museum Alex Mylona, Athens, 2020-21.

The work of art in our publications

The piece is referenced in the following Alpha Bank publications:

• The Alpha Bank Collection. Greek Art from 1920 until Today, edited by Irene Orati. The publication accompanied the same-titled exhibition.

Buy the publication The Alpha Bank Collection. Greek Art from 1920 until Today on the Alpha Bank e-shop.

• Works by Peloponnesian Artists, edited by Irene Orati.

Buy the publication Works by Peloponnesian Artists on the Alpha Bank e-shop.

• The Alpha Bank Collection. Greek Art from 1950 until Today (Ioannina), edited by Irene Orati and Thomas K. Begas.

In other literature

The piece also appears in the exhibition catalogues:

• Stephen Antonakos: Retrospective, 2008
• The J.F. Costopoulos Foundation, Anniversary review 1979-2009
• Stephen Antonakos. Light: Stephen Antonakos and the Russian Avant-Garde, 2020.

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

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