Acireale exhibition revives legacy of legendary gallerist Alexander Iolas
Opening on December 15 at Galleria del Credito Siciliano in Acireale, Sicily, the exhibition "Call for Iolas' House" pays tribute to Alexander Iolas (1907–1987), a prominent Greek gallerist. Iolas, who was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and later moved to New York, was instrumental in organizing both Andy Warhol's inaugural and final exhibitions, as well as showcasing Surrealist artists in the United States. His career began in dance, and he later managed the Hugo Gallery, where Warhol held his first solo exhibition in 1952. In 1955, Iolas co-founded the Jackson-Iolas Gallery and established additional galleries in key cities. Curated by Stefania Briccola, Leo Guerra, and Cristina Quadrio Curzio, the exhibition emphasizes the deterioration of his villa in Athens, constructed between 1965 and 1968, and its urgent need for restoration.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Call for Iolas' House' opens December 15 at Galleria del Credito Siciliano in Acireale.
- Alexander Iolas (1907–1987) was a Greek gallerist and collector born in Alexandria, Egypt.
- Iolas organized Andy Warhol's first and last exhibitions.
- He was among the first to exhibit Surrealists in the US and Ed Ruscha on the East Coast.
- Iolas studied dance in Berlin and Paris before entering the art world in New York during WWII.
- He directed Hugo Gallery (founded 1944) where Warhol had his first solo show in 1952.
- In 1955, he co-founded Jackson-Iolas Gallery with Brooks Jackson.
- He opened galleries in New York, Paris, Milan, Madrid, and Geneva.
- Artists he launched include René Magritte, Roberto Matta, Jean Tinguely, Joseph Cornell, Yves Klein, Jannis Kounellis, Takis, Victor Brauner, and Niki de Saint-Phalle.
- His Athens villa, built 1965–1968, was intended as a living museum but now lies in decay.
- The exhibition includes testimonies from Novello Finotti, Fausta Squatriti, Marina Karella, and Renos Xippas.
- Iolas commissioned Warhol's 'The Last Supper' for Galleria Gruppo Credito Valtellinese in Milan.
- The show is produced by Fondazione Gruppo Credito Valtellinese.
- Works from Iolas's gallery are also at Chiostro del Bramante in Rome in the exhibition 'Enjoy'.
Entities
Artists
- Alexander Iolas
- Andy Warhol
- Ed Ruscha
- René Magritte
- Roberto Matta
- Jean Tinguely
- Joseph Cornell
- Yves Klein
- Jannis Kounellis
- Vassilakis Takis
- Victor Brauner
- Niki de Saint-Phalle
- Novello Finotti
- Fausta Squatriti
- Marina Karella
- Renos Xippas
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Lucio Fontana
- Giorgio de Chirico
- Miguel Berrocal
- Eliseo Mattiacci
- Max Ernst
- William E. Jones
Institutions
- Galleria del Credito Siciliano
- Galleria Hugo
- Jackson-Iolas Gallery
- Galleria Gruppo Credito Valtellinese – Refettorio delle Stelline
- Fondazione Gruppo Credito Valtellinese
- Chiostro del Bramante
- Creval
- Convento di Santa Maria delle Grazie
- Artribune
Locations
- Acireale
- Sicily
- Italy
- Alexandria
- Egypt
- New York
- United States
- Berlin
- Germany
- Paris
- France
- Athens
- Greece
- Milan
- Madrid
- Spain
- Geneva
- Switzerland
- Rome