Collector Irene Y. Panagopoulos on Her Greek Diaspora-Focused Collection and London Exhibition
Irene Y. Panagopoulos, the president of Magna Marine Inc, curates an art collection that highlights female artists and those from the Greek diaspora. This collection is showcased at the Irene Y. Panagopoulos Collection in Voula and is part of the exhibition Revisiting: Fernweh at the Hellenic Centre in London, running until 7 November. The exhibition features 17 pieces by artists including Kader Attia, Vlassis Caniaris, Brice Marden, and Thomas Struth. Born in London and a Mills College alumna, Panagopoulos was inspired to collect art by her father, Pericles Panagopoulos. Her first acquisition was Lucas Samaras's Reconstruction #93 (1979), while her most recent is Vangelis Savvas's One Hundred and Forty Paths (2026). She actively supports Greek cultural initiatives and appreciates museum collections, preferring to avoid the bustle of art fairs.
Key facts
- Irene Y. Panagopoulos is president of Magna Marine Inc and a collector focused on women and Greek diaspora artists.
- Her collection is shown at the Irene Y. Panagopoulos Collection in Voula, near Athens, and in the exhibition Revisiting: Fernweh, or Nostalgia for Unknown Lands at the Hellenic Centre in Marylebone, London, until 7 November.
- The exhibition features 17 works by artists including Kader Attia, Vlassis Caniaris, Brice Marden, and Thomas Struth.
- Panagopoulos was born in London and studied at Mills College at Northeastern University in Oakland, California.
- Her father, Pericles Panagopoulos, collected Modern art and gave her works that began her collection.
- Her first purchase was Lucas Samaras's Reconstruction #93 (1979); her latest is Vangelis Savvas's One Hundred and Forty Paths (2026).
- She supports the Museum of Cycladic Art, the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens, the Greek pavilion at the Venice Biennale, Tate, and the Delfina Foundation.
- Her collection includes works by Jeff Koons and Picasso.
Entities
Artists
- Irene Y. Panagopoulos
- Pericles Panagopoulos
- Lucas Samaras
- Vangelis Savvas
- Kader Attia
- Vlassis Caniaris
- Brice Marden
- Thomas Struth
- Jeff Koons
- Picasso
Institutions
- Magna Marine Inc
- Irene Y. Panagopoulos Collection
- Hellenic Centre
- Museum of Cycladic Art
- National Museum of Contemporary Art
- Venice Biennale
- Tate
- Delfina Foundation
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- Mills College at Northeastern University
- Opso
- Fischer's
- Daunt Books
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Oakland
- California
- United States
- Greece
- Voula
- Athens
- Marylebone
- Cyclades
- Boston
- China
- Venice
- Italy