Nikos Engonopoulos: Orpheus of Surrealism

He was the Godfather of Greek Surrealism. Seek out a Nikos Engonopoulos’ canvas and chances are, you’ll encounter a familiar figure from ancient Greek history or mythology – Hercules or Medea perhaps – in a setting that’s pure “Alice in Wonderland”. Engonopoulos was one of the core members of the much lauded “Generation of the 30s'” that also included the poet and Nobel Laurete George Seferis and the painter Giannis Ritsos.

To honour 37 years since the death of this acknowledged surrealist artist, the B. & M. Theocharakis Foundation brings us a retrospective exhibition that introduces the viewer to a world steeped in mystery and symbolism, where literature, history and poetry meet to create forms that frequently reference Greek mythology. Time is not linear in Engonopoulos’ often melancholic and carnal metaverse.  Byzantine art blends with a Dionysian aura – gloriously out of step with history.

If you find yourself wanting to explore more of this riveting artist’s work, head down to the National Gallery of Greece, where you can continue following the Ariadne’s Thread of his life’s work, along with other pivotal figures of the Modernist Greek art movement.