Stephen T. Vassiliades

      Born in New York City, Stephen T Vassiliades studied at Hunter College where he received his Masters in Fine Arts He was caught up then in a burgeoning of creative exploration, and particularly focused on the exploration of abstract expressionism. Over a twenty-year span he has worked ceaselessly and effectively to create a radical statement in modern art. Through attainment and departure in virtually every accepted form of painting in all media: oil, gouache, water color, pen and ink, he has, in fact given brith to a new language of the abstract his acclaimed Chroma cantatas. Upon the introduction of his pieces to some of New York's leading gallery/exponents of the new voices in art, Jacob Weintraub immediately sought Vassiliades' permission to ex¬hibit a large Vassiliades in his Madison Avenue window, to attract the au courant art lovers who could then come in and view ten other Vassiliades works. So great was the acclaim that Alvin Greenspan, another New York gallery owner exclaimed, "This man has restored art to greatness."

Among other comments from the art cognoscenti was the curator of draw¬ing and sculpture of the Museum of Modern Art who declared the paint¬ings were "very beautiful" and worthy of the museum's permanent collection. Mickey Cohen of Genesis II declared: "This artist is going over very, very big his works are each an adventure for the eyes." And Ivan Karp of OK Harris concurred with "You have painted yourself into the museum level of art." Bella Fishko of the Forum Gallery also enthused, "They are all gems." The reality of the inspired accolades lies in the nature of the work of Vassiliades. He has brilliantly evaluated both emotionally and intellectually the complexities of a city, its people, its machines and its masses of color. Transforming the sharp delineation of the linear and oval, he has, through the use of brilliant color, transplanted life onto a page in shimmering designs that seem animated and dazzling. Combining the qualities of abstract expressionism with myriad constellations, each area on the canvas is a world within itself, as well as a dynamically interacting one to the artist's overall statement.

Vassiliades, through self-searching and an acceptance-rejection rigeur, has cut away the extraneous and negative to project the contemporary in joyous color, form and plasticity of design. Having discarded conven¬tional standards of academia, his works evolve into organic growths nourished through ceaseless inventiveness, fecundity, and craftsmanship of a rare technique and style.
Although brought up in New York City's eternally changing patterns, it is likely that Vassiliades' Greek forebears and heritage have left their impression on his subconscious and guided his masterful brush. The golden influence of the Aegean sun and waters, of ancient history and folklore, is coupled with the eclectic intellectual input he has received as a son of New York City; the fusion of cultures is pronounced with the love, vigor and excitement that is the sine qua non of his work. The linear crossroads, the delicate patterns, the lofty thrust of color work like a visual symphony that leaves the viewer with a reaction of strength and spiritual wakening. It is no wonder that Jack Mognac of the Marlborough Gallery exclaimed,

"It's a dazzling new world,"
Exhibitions:
Paris Vernisage, Paris, France Madrid Palace of Fine Arts, Madrid,
Spain
Cleveland Museum, Cleveland, Ohio San Diego Museum, San Diego, Calif. Galerie Lolas, Milan, Italy Dartmouth U. Gallery, Dartmouth,
NH
Rochester Museum, Rochester, NY Tate Gallery, London
New York Cultural Center, New York
City
Erik Nord Gallery, Nantucket
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, III.

Collections:
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brennan Mr. and Mrs. James Neuhouse Squibb Pharmaceuticals
Sol Bernstein Assoc.
Mr. Leo Spoil
Col. Ira T. Steirman
Mr. Alan Ainsworth
Dr. and Mrs. Spencer Grin Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Weitzner Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Boltuch Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wagner Mr. Emanuel Berger
Mr. and Mrs. Beverly Hartford Visual Information Services Mr. Sherwood Palmer
Ms. Renita Johnson
Johnson Products Corp.