The Pioneer of Hard Edge Geometric Abstract Minimalism Nasos Daphnis (1914 – 2010)
The Greek-born American artist Nassos Daphnis was recognized for his mastery of geometric abstraction and his evolution into what became known as Hard-Edge Painting. He was actively supported by Leo Castelli Gallery for 39 years, which placed his work in some of the best collections around the world like MoMA, Guggenheim, etc. He was one of the pioneers of the Minimalist movement in New York. In the 1950s when Barnett Newman was doing his stripe paintings with traditional brush strokes, Daphnis had already introduced the roller to erase the human touch and reach the perfection he always strived for. Daphnis has been the recipient of numerous prestigious art awards. He was named a Guggenheim Fellow in 1977 and received the Francis J. Greenburger Foundation Award and the Pollock Krasner Foundation Award in 1986.
Richard Taittinger Gallery presents artworks of the Greek-born American artist Nassos Daphnis
Richard Taittinger Gallery presents CITY WALLS Inc., (1969-1975) with artworks of the Greek-born American artist Nassos Daphnis (1914-2010). Nineteen significant works and one print created by Daphnis during the City Walls period coincided with a revitalizing period for New York City and the public art scene.
The history
In the 1920s, New York surpassed London to become the most populous urbanized area in the world. After World War II, NYC emerged as the leading city of the world, but by the late 60’s industrial restructuring led to economic suffering and decay to befall the city.
The art historian Paul Laster wrote: “One of the most innovative public art initiatives of the late 20th century, City Walls Inc., was founded by a group of avant-garde New York artists who wanted to enliven depressed areas of the city through the creation of colorful murals on the sides of large buildings. Many of the founding artists, including Nassos Daphnis, lived and worked in Lower Manhattan at a time when the groundbreaking SoHo art scene was just beginning to emerge.
These artists’ murals played a vital role in this industrial area’s development and eventual economic transformation by making it a more inviting place to visit”. Established as a not-for-profit organization in 1967 by artists Richard Anuszkiewitz, Jason Crum, Nassos Daphnis, Knox Martin, Mel Pekarsky, Tania, Robert Wiegand, and other notable painters of the period.
“I think the time has come when art can be part of daily life. All people should be exposed daily to the art of mural painting. When they walk on a street, go to work, or sit in a park works of art should surround them. It is this kind of continuous experience that in the long run will raise our aesthetic values to a higher level”
City Walls sponsored more than 50 murals by 28 different artists over the next decade. In 1977, it was consolidated with the Public Arts Council of the Municipal Arts Society, later becoming the Public Art Fund, and remains one of New York’s and America’s greatest public arts organizations. Richard Taittinger Gallery Showcases Nassos Daphnis’ Enduring Legacy. Since 2015, the Richard Taittinger Gallery in New York exclusively represented the Nassos Daphnis Estate worldwide and has organized four Nassos Daphnis Solo exhibitions.
Richard Taittinger was thrilled to present Nassos Daphnis City Walls Inc., in Athens in October 2023, under the auspices of Athens Municipality, celebrating the Nassos Daphnis City Wall mural, he offered as an introduction to the city of Athens.
