° 1936

Born in Kastoria (GR), lives in New York (US).

Lucas Samaras

In 1948 Lucas Samaras immigrated to New York with his family. During the period of 1955-59 he studied at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Rutgers University. He then studies history of art at Columbia University but also drama at the Stella Adler acting school. During the whole course of his artistic journey he experiments with many means of expression. He participates in happenings from his student years and collaborates with artists such as Jim Dine, Red Grooms and Claes Oldenburg. In 1960 he creates the first work from his characteristic Boxes series. During the Sixties he shows interest in environments via the series Rooms and subsequently with the series Mirror Rooms, which he later explores again. In 1969 he created the film Self with Kim Levin – the main theme of the work being himself.

At the same period in time he systematically starts to explore photography and especially the use of the Polaroid camera. During the period of 1977-78 he creates the series Reconstructions – large abstract canvases which he creates from strips of material. During the Eighties and Nineties he creates sculpture, drawing, photography, painting, room environments but also jewellery - producing series of works indicative of his style (Panoramas, 1984, Cubes, Pragmata, Trapezoids, 1994, Chairs, 1986 etc.). From the Nineties onwards he also uses computers in his work. In 2000 he begins the series Photoflicks (photo-films), videos processed via the use of the Quick Time programme.

He has presented his work in numerous important exhibitions (National Gallery, Athens, 2005, Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1969, 1975, 1992, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, 1971, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, 1972, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, 1977, 1981, Watari, Tokyo, 1981, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, 1983 et al.).  Plus international group shows (Documenta, Kassel, 1968, 1972, 1977, Venice Biennale, 2009 et al.).