Koulentianos Kostas

He studied sculpture at the Athens School of Fine Arts in 1936-1939 with Thomas Thomopoulos, Kostas Dimitriadis and Michalis Tombros. In 1945, on a French government scholarship he went to Paris to continue his studies. In 1946, he attended courses at the Ecole des Beaux Arts but shortly left in order to become Ossip Zadkine’s pupil at the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere. His acquaintance with the sculptor Henri Laurens in 1947 was of decisive importance, as Koulentianos collaborated with him until the latter’s death, in 1954. His works of this period bear the influence of the French sculptor, with whom – beyond the master-pupil relationship – Koulentianos developed close friendship. In 1952, he travelled to Morocco. His impression of the desert found expression in his work. During his eight-month stay in Greece in 1955, archaic Greek sculpture also attracted his attention. In 1961, the writer Roger Vaillant helped him to obtain a workshop at Meillonas Ain, enabling him to create large-scale sculptures. During the same period, his acquaintance with the architect Pierre Dosse stirred his interest in the incorporation of sculpture in architecture.

He was very active regarding presentation of his work in both solo and group exhibitions. His first solo exhibition took place in Casablanca (1952), followed by solo exhibitions in Athens, London, Paris and other European and American cities. Following his death, in 1997, a retrospective exhibition of his work took place at the Couvent des Cordeliers, Paris. He also participated in group exhibitions, including the Salon d’Automne in 1946, the Salon de la Jeune Sculpture and the Salon du mai, as well as the Sao Paulo Biennale (1955) and the Venice Biennale (1964). He also participated in group and Panhellenic exhibitions in Greece.

Koulentianos’s sought to distance himself from academic sculpture, a fact which became evident very early on. His acquaintance with Henri Laurens also contributed to that. During 1947-1952, the French sculptor’s influence was particularly strong in his work. Stylised female figures, seated or reclining, prevail, with accentuated organic curves and motion. In 1952, iron, and metals in general, won him over; his shift from organic towards geometric abstraction was constant, climaxing in the early 1960’s. His production of this period is characterized by geometric forms, which establish themselves dynamically in space and create an effect of motion. In the 1970’s, his “screw” sculptures became his trademark. Curved or flat surfaces of white- or black-painted iron are joined by iron blades, resulting in compositions with clear, dynamic forms conversing with space and light. During 1979-1990, these 3-D compositions evolved in 2-D constructions extending vertically as well as in the “Generations” series, in which the introduction of the void has a major contribution to the overall effect. Besides sculptures and reliefs, he also created collages and tapestries, similar in style to his sculptures.