Where Islands Converge

A Journey from Lemnos to Manhattan


Homme Gallery

Washington, DC

February 2-11, 2024

A retrospective of the life and work of Constantine Abanavas (1922-2008), this exhibition takes you on a journey of his homes and inspirations. Images of his upbringing on the island of Lemnos, Greece, are apparent in almost every work of art Abanavas created. This inspiration and subject matter, however, is irrevocably intertwined with the styles, collaborations, and creativity that New York allowed him.

This first posthumous showing of his art explores the complexity and diversity in Abanavas’ style, and the beautiful contradictions that ruled his life, and the life of anyone with a foot and a soul in two lands. The juxtaposition of rural vs. urban, traditional vs. modern, religious vs. secular, and realist vs. abstract are themes seen throughout his art and the exhibition.

The works presented were created throughout his adult life, from 1945 to 2008.

This show was curated by the artist’s grandson, Chris Abanavas, and is presented in memory of the artist and his son, Greg Abanavas.

Preview work from the exhibition:

Constantine Abanavas, Self-Portrait, 1985, oil on canvas, 20 x 26 in.

Artist Biography

Constantine Evangelos Abanavas (1922-2008) was a Greek-American artist. He was raised on the island of Lemnos, Greece, and spent his adulthood in New York City. Abanavas’ artistic practice focused on oil painting, but also expanded to mosaics, as well as copper and plastic sculpture work.

Part of a group of New York-based Greek-American artists, including Theo Hios and Lou Trakis, his homeland and upbringing served as his principal source of inspiration throughout his life. With limited economic resources, Abanavas dedicated his life to his work in whatever way he could, whether it was repurposing metals he found for sculptures or converting his home into his studio.

Upon retirement, he moved to SoHo, New York, then an artists’ community, and was able to dedicate himself entirely to his craft. In a loft he built to his design, Abanavas created until his very last days, passing away in 2008 at the age of 86. He was a husband to Shirley, a father of two, and a grandfather of four.