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Constantine Andreou

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the painter and sculptor. For the musician, seeCostas Andreou.
Constantine Andreou
Andreou in 1954.
Born24 March 1917
São Paulo,Brazil
Died8 October 2007(2007-10-08)(aged 90)
Athens,Greece
Known forPainting,sculpture
Notable workGlobe – Trinité(1974)
AwardsGran Prix d'Antoine Pevsner(1988), Croix de Chevalier de laLégion d'honneur(2000), Officier del'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres(2005)

Constantine Andreou(24 March 1917 – 8 October 2007) was aBrazilianbornGreekpainter and sculptor with a highly successful career that spanned six decades. Andreou has been praised by many as an eminent figure in international art of the 20th century.[1][2][3][4]

Biography

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Early life (1917–1945)

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Andreou was born inSão Paulo,Brazil,in 1917 toGreekparents who had immigrated to Brazil a few years prior.[5]

In 1925, his family moved back to Greece where he settled inAthensuntil the end ofWorld War II.During these years, Andreou dabbled in crafts and for a period worked as a carpenter making furniture while studying technical design.[6]He graduated in 1935.[5]In the same year, he started his study of sculpture,[5]the art form for which he would be most known later.

In 1939, Andreou participated at the Panellinio (Πανελλήνιο), but the judges disqualified his three sculptures.[6]In 1942, he tried again at the same competition and with the same artwork.[6]The pieces were so lifelike, he was accused of cheating by copying nature.[6]Three major personalities of the time in Greece,Memos Makris,John Miliades,andNikos Nikolaou,came to his defense.[6][7]As a result of the publicity, he had his first taste of fame and major exposure of his artwork.[6][7]

In 1940, Greece entered World War II on the side of Allies, and by 1941, the country was underNaziandItalian occupation.Andreou was initially drafted into theHellenic Armyin 1940 and during the occupation he was an active member of theGreek Resistance.[5]

The war years and occupation did not stop Andreou from continuing his artwork and studies, and in 1945 he won a French scholarship to go to France along with many other Greek intellectuals on theRMS Mataroavoyage.[5][8]

Life in France (1945–2002)

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Painting by Andreou

In 1947, Andreou began using a new personal technique employing welded copper sheets. This new technique allowed him to create a new way to express his creation in a way completely unrelated to tradition.[6]

A major impact on Andreou's method of expression and in the development of his personal "language" was his friendship withLe Corbusier.They first met in 1947 and worked together on and off until 1953.[6]At one time Le Corbusier asked Andreou, "Where did you learn how to work?" to which Andreou responded "I'm Greek, I carry the knowledge within me."[6]This friendship instilled in Andreou Le Corbusier's view of architecture as monumental sculpture and, conversely, sculpture subject to the laws of architecture.[9]

In the same period, Andreou became a member of a select group of philosophers, includingJean-Paul Sartre,who discussed various topics inSaint-Germain-des-Prés.[10]

Andreou had his first exhibition in Paris in 1951, where he demonstrated the transformation of his style. In the group exhibition "Seven Greek Sculptors", Andreou was characterized as "the most famous Greek sculptor in the capital with a rich, varied and successful work".[11][12]By the end of the decade, Andreou was widely known in theFrench artscene and considered an equal toMondrian,PicassoandGastaud.[13]In 1982, he was given the lead as chairman of the Paris "Autumn Salon" for sculpture.[14][15]

In 1999, the library of the townLa Ville-du-Bois,where Andreou resided while in France, was named in honor of Constantine Andreou.[6][16][17]

Throughout his time in France, he regularly visited his friends and family in Greece and many times exhibited his work in various cities and islands there. In 1977, Andreou bought a centuries old winery on the island ofAegina.[18]He converted it into a house, after being influenced to buy a house on the island by his longtime friend and colleague Nikos Nikolaou.[18]There in ancient Aegina in the summer of 1985, together with the namesake poet Evangelos Andreou, Constantine Andreou creates a series of twenty paintings entitled "Polymorphs" that are based on the poet's work "Restoration of a Stone Stalk". (Ανδρέου-Ανδρέου/Andreou-Andreou 1987Ευάγγελος_Ανδρέου)[el]

Andreou has also participated in theBiennalesof Antwerp, the Netherlands,Paris,Venice,and Yugoslavia.[14]

Later years and death (2002–2007)

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Constantine Andreou returned to Athens, Greece, in 2002. He died on 8 October 2007 at his house in Athens, Greece.[19][20]

Legacy

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In 2004, Andreou created the "Costas Andreou Foundation" with the stated goal to promote his work in the arts and the significance of sculpture and painting worldwide. The foundation is also to recognize young and upcoming artists every 3 years with an award, based on the decision of an international judging committee. The first time the award was given in March 2008.[14]

Awards

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^Michel Bourgeois inANDREOU(in French). Paris, France: Les Editions du Temps. 1984.
  2. ^Greek Minister of Culture (2001).Presentation of 'Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres' to Andreou(Speech). Athens, Greece.
  3. ^J.P. Langlois, introduction -Femme Femmes, peintures.Athens, Greece: G. Giannoussis. 1997.
  4. ^Statement by the Board of Directors of the Teloglion Art Foundation, pg. 8 -Andreouανδρέου(in Greek). Thessaloniki, Greece:Teloglion Foundation of Art,AUT.2004.ISBN960-87805-1-9.
  5. ^abcdefANDREOU ΓΛΥΠΤΙΚΗ SCULPTURE – bas reliefs in color.Athens, Greece: Bastas Editions. 1999.ISBN960-7418-39-5.
  6. ^abcdefghijkAndreouανδρέου(in Greek). Thessaloniki, Greece: Teloglion Art Foundation,AUT.2004.ISBN960-87805-1-9.
  7. ^abΜ. Καλλιγάς (June 19, 1942).Πανελλήνια Έκθεση Γλυπτικής-Ζωγραφικής.Ελεύθερο Βήμα(in Greek). Athens.
  8. ^François Bordes,"Exil et création: des penseurs grecs dans la vie intellectuelle française"Archived2018-11-16 at theWayback Machine,in Servanne Jollivet, Christophe Premat, Mats Rosengren,Destins d'exilés,Le Manuscrit, 2011, p. 66.
  9. ^Βεατρίκη Σπηλιάδη (1977-06-10). "Andreou".Καθημερινή(in Greek).
  10. ^pg. 31 -L'art abstrait(in French). Paris: Pluriel. 1980.
  11. ^M. Baram (1953). "Sept Sculpteures grecs".France-Grèce(in French).
  12. ^J.A. Cartier (May 7, 1953). "Sept sculpteurs grecs au Petit Palais".Combat(in French).
  13. ^Jean-Paul Sartre (July 1959). "Andréou".Les Temps modernes(in French) (161).
  14. ^abcd"Εφυγε" ο γλύπτης, ζωγράφος και χαράκτης Κώστας Ανδρέου.Kathimerini(in Greek). Archived fromthe originalon 2013-02-17.Retrieved2007-11-06.
  15. ^Jean-François Larrieu."Le mot du Président"(in French). Archived fromthe originalon August 28, 2002.Retrieved2007-11-12.
  16. ^"Bibliothèque municipale Constantin Andréou"(in French).Archivedfrom the original on 2011-09-16.Retrieved2007-05-29.
  17. ^Έφυγε ο γλύπτης Κώστας Ανδρέου(in Greek).Ethnos.Retrieved2007-11-06.[permanent dead link]
  18. ^abΔιαμαντένια Ριμπά (2007-03-18).Κώστας Ανδρέου-ο Έλληνας γλύπτης- ζωγράφος που δοξάζει το όνομα της Ελλάδας(PDF)(in Greek).ANA-MPA.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2007-03-18.Retrieved2007-11-12.και συνεργάζεται με τον αδελφικό φύλο[sic] ζωγράφο Νίκο Νικολάου
  19. ^Φτωχότερη η γλυπτική(in Greek).Rizospastis.2007-12-17. p. 23. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-01-13.Retrieved2007-10-10.
  20. ^Απεβίωσε ο καλλιτέχνης Κ. Ανδρέου.To Vima(in Greek). 2007-10-10.Retrieved2007-10-10.[permanent dead link]
  21. ^"Nominations dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres de janvier 2005"(in French).Archivedfrom the original on 2007-05-17.Retrieved2007-05-29.

References

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  • Institut Francais d' Athenes[permanent dead link]on CultureGuide.gr (invalid as of January 2007 - site deactivated as per[1][permanent dead link])
  • ΑΝΔΡΕΟΥ ζωγραφική αναδρομική 1950–1992(in Greek). Municipality of Thessaloniki, Greece – Vafopoulio Cultural Center -Dimitria27. 1992.
  • Evangelos Andreou, ANDREOU. "The meaning of educational manifestations and the participation of the intellectual man - and four artists", Ed. ABHE RAO – SHANTHA INTERNATIONAL INC., New York – 2002
  • Evangelos Andreou, ANDREOU. “Modern Greek Artists”, Ed. Epipeda 1984 – 18th Congress of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA)
  • Evangelos Andreou, ANDREOU. “Painting Contemporary Trends”, Ed. Epipeda 1985 – Athens, the Civilizing Capital of Europe
  • Max Crose & Jean Goldman (March 1970). "Numėro special, Exposition Andrèou".Almanach(in French) (61).
  • Andreou.Geneva, Switzerland: Cailler. 1959.
  • B. Trėhet (1991-03-19). "A.C.A.M. XVIe salon". Chateau du Logis a Brėcey.{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
  • Ν. Καλλονάς (June 19, 1942).Πως Ζουν Οι Παλιοί Και Οι Μοντέρνοι Ζωγράφοι.Βραδυνή(in Greek). Athens.
  • Η Έκθεση Τέχνης Στην Αθήνα(in Greek). Athens. June 23, 1942.{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
  • Armando Pacheco Alues (December 12, 1952). "Una visita a Constantin Andréou".Amanhã(in Spanish).
  • G. Dormand (June 4, 1953). "Jeune sculpture, jeunes sculpteurs au musée Bourdelle".Libération(in French). Paris.
  • A. Vignaud (June 7, 1953). "Dans les jardins de Musée Bourdelle: la femme au salon de la jeune sculpture".Le Matin dimanche(in French). Paris.
  • Y. Jean (August 1953). "Flagrantes".São Paulo Magazine(in Portuguese).
  • M. Marseille (May 3, 1954). "Les expositions".La Vie Judiciaire(in French).
  • J. Mosellan (May 4, 1954). "Les expositions".Aux Écoutes du Monde(in French).
  • Y. Jean (August 1954). "Flagrantes".São Paulo Magazine(in Portuguese) (9).
  • "Un artistio grego expose no rio".A Noite Ilustrada(in Portuguese). October 12, 1954.
  • R. Kiehl (August 2, 1956). "Andréou".Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace(in French).
  • J. Cartier (October 15, 1956). "Les expositions".Combat(in French).
  • A. Marc (April 2, 1958). "Un sculpteur grec a Paris: Andréou".La Lanterne(in French).
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