Press Release

Yiorgos Sakelaris' delicately rendered graphite drawings reflect the sublime stoicism of Greek architecture. A Greek American, Sakelaris grew up hearing stories about his family's years in Greece and their struggles during World War II. He became fascinated with his heritage, traveling to Santorini, Mykonos, The Cyclades and other Greek locales and observing them carefully. Based on photographs he has taken, Sakelaris' black and white drawings are triumphant. They depict empty streets, white-washed walls, and uninterrupted expanses of sky or sea. Despite the absence of figures or other direct signs of daily life, the drawings reverberate with the liveliness of Greek history.

The colorless quietude in Sakelaris' scenes is open-ended, inviting viewers to imagine the vibrant colors and activity that shaped them. The extreme detail with which Sakelaris draws captures the nuances of Mediterranean landscape while also imbuing it with a nostalgic splendor. Born in Asbury Park, Sakelaris lives and works in Long Branch, New Jersey.