Kostas Paniaras
Day and Night, Then Day Again

The Breeder presents “Day and Night, Then Day Again”, an exhibition dedicated to the acclaimed Greek artist Kostas Paniaras (1934–2014). Over a career spanning fifty-five years, Paniaras developed an impressive and multifaceted body of work, consistently challenging the boundaries of artistic mediums.

This exhibition brings renewed attention to a pivotal moment in his practice, showcasing a selection from his iconic “Day and Night” series, created in the 1980s. First presented at Galerie Samy Kinge in Paris (1982) and the Iolas-Jackson Gallery in New York (1983), these works exemplify Paniaras’ long-standing collaboration with visionary gallerist and collector Alexander Iolas. Defying traditional painting methods, Paniaras worked with industrial materials, using vinyl sheets that he carefully pleated to create dynamic tensions. His approach was both radical and poetic, embodying a minimalist sensibility that emphasized the possibilities of abstraction.

The “Day and Night” series unfolds like a chromatic journey, where colors evolve gradually—from dark to light, warm to cool—often punctuated by shimmering gold and silver elements. This interplay of hues mirrors the passing of time, evoking the eternal rhythm of day fading into night. Through his meticulous process, Paniaras transformed his personal observations of light, landscape, and the metamorphosis of nature into an evocative visual language.

Returning to these historical works nearly forty years after their creation, “Day and Night, Then Day Again” reintroduces their enduring relevance. Paniaras envisioned art as an open-ended dialogue, stating, “I use my art to predict new images… Once a work of art leaves the hands of its creator, it begins an independent journey, shaped each time by the need and aesthetic perspective of the one who sees and experiences it.”

This exhibition highlights the timeless force of his vision—balancing sensitivity and tension, abstraction and mythology—while celebrating his legacy as a Greek artist of significant international presence. More than a physical journey, his work invites an emotional and existential exploration of time, memory, and transformation. Through the show, The Breeder reaffirms the gallery’s commitment to showcasing pivotal artistic voices and historical narratives within contemporary discourse.

Kostas Paniaras (Kiato, Corinthia, 1934 – Athens, 2014) studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts under Yiannis Moralis. In 1956, he moved to Paris, where he studied lithography at the École des Beaux-Arts, painting with André Lhote, and mosaic and fresco with Gino Severini. That same year, he began his exhibition career, presenting his first solo exhibition in Athens, followed by numerous solo and group exhibitions in Greece and abroad. In 1961, he held his first solo exhibition in New York at the Alexander Iolas Gallery, marking the beginning of a 25-year collaboration with Alexander Iolas. He also participated in the Paris Biennale (1961) and the Tokyo Biennale (1964), as well as in the Art in America exhibitions (1962, 1966). Retrospective exhibitions of his work were held at the Pierides Art Gallery (1984) and the Benaki Museum (2007).

Paniaras experimented with a wide range of media and techniques, following the international trends of his time. In his paintings, color is the dominant element, contributing to the creation of compositions with large surfaces, while the use of pleated plastic breaks the traditional flatness, adding a textured and undulating quality. With the same approach, he employed color in his sculptures and installations, intervening in the forms of well-known classical works, offering a different interpretation of them.