An exhibition of works of renowned Greek engraver A. Tassos (1914-1985) is being held at Athens’ Benaki Museum (3.12.2015 – 31.1.2016) on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth.
With the aid of modern technology and digital reproduction, the exhibition aims to offer the opportunity for a re-evaluation of the artist’s work. Divided into sections that correspond to different stages of creation (Student works 1934-1939; Occupation 1940-1946; Color engravings 1947-1960; Black and white 1960-1966; Black and White II 1967-1974; Late work 1975-1985), it presents his most important works, as well as some that have never been exhibited before, including engravings, sketches, woodcut plates. Also on exhibit is a selection of graphic works, i.e., books and albums illustrated with original engravings, stamps, album covers, and posters
A. Tassos (born in Messenia, Peloponnese as Anastasios Alevizos in 1914) studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts under the master of Greek engraving, Yannis Kephallinos. He joined the Greek Communist Party in 1930, and during the Nazi occupation of Greece, he joined the National Liberation Front (EAM), creating resistance propaganda material. From 1954 to 1967, while working for the Greek Postal Service, he implemented innovational techniques in stamp design. In 1959 he became director of the pioneering Department of Graphic Arts at the Athens Technological Institute (Konstantinos Doxiadis School), where he taught until 1967. In the years of the Military Junta (1967-1974), he lived in self-exile abroad, creating works of social protest.
Tassos’ engravings focus on ordinary people, rendering their toil and pain. As a militant artist, he “remained until the end of his life faithful to the case of the struggle for a new society, just, democratic and socialist”.
A.Tassos Benaki Museum exhibition: Guided tours; Modern Greek Engraving: A brief chronicle; Chrysanthos Cristou: Modern Greek Engraving; Museum of Engravings and Graphic Arts
