Hadjikyriakos-Ghika Nikos
Still life
Hadjikyriakos-Ghika Nikos
Nikos Hatzikyriakos Gikas (February 26, 1906 - September 3, 1994) was a distinguished Greek painter, sculptor, engraver, writer and academic. He was Professor at the National Technical University of Athens and founding member of the Greek branch of "AICA" (Association Internationalationale des Critiques d'Art).
In addition to painting, where he had a very productive presence, Gikas worked on sculpting, engraving, scenography and book illustration and art criticism. He wrote books, articles and essays on Architecture and Aesthetics, as well as essays on Greek art.
The island of Hydra, where he grew up as a child, played played an important role in the development of his technique, as it allowed him to combine elements of cubism, painting and light.
He was deeply influenced by Matisse's work, according to his own words, but also by the work of Brack and Picasso.
During the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s he held numerous exhibitions in London, Paris, Belgrade, Stockholm, Ottawa, Cincinnati, New York, Washington, Berlin, Brussels, and St. -Etien and, of course, Athens.
He has illustrated books and designed costumes for many shows.
In 1970 the Academy of Athens awarded him with the "Excellence in Fine Arts" award and in 1972 elected him a full member of the Chair of Fine Arts.
In 1979, a film by Vassilis Marou, about the life of Nikos Hadjikyriakos Gikas, was presented at the British Academy of Film and TV International TV Festival.
His books, Hellenic Reflections (1982), Detection of Hellenism (1984) and Birth of New Art (1987) are published in Athens.
In 1982 he was elected an honorary Doctor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in 1987 he became an honorary member of the British "Royal Academy of Arts" and in 1991 he became an honorary Doctor at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Athens.
He continues to display his work both in Athens and Andros and abroad.
His last exhibition was in 1994 (microsculpture and jewelry).