Lucas Samaras, Greek-American artist known for mirrored boxes and Polaroid experiments, dies at 87
Pace Gallery has announced the passing of Lucas Samaras, the Greek-American artist celebrated for his detailed box sculptures and photographic innovations, at the age of 87. Samaras was born in 1936 in Kastoria, Greece, and moved to the United States at the age of 12. He pursued fine arts at Rutgers University from 1955 to 1959 and studied art history at Columbia University. He made his debut in New York's art scene in 1959, gaining recognition for his assemblage boxes and showcasing his first solo exhibition at Green Gallery. In 1965, he became associated with Pace Gallery, where he created immersive installations like Room No. 2. His exploration of Polaroids began in 1969, leading to digital projects such as Photoifctions in 2003. His artwork is housed in prominent museums across the globe.
Key facts
- Lucas Samaras died at age 87
- Pace Gallery announced his death
- He was born in Kastoria, Greece in 1936
- He immigrated to the United States at age 12
- He studied at Rutgers University under Allan Kaprow and George Segal from 1955 to 1959
- He studied art history at Columbia University under Meyer Schapiro
- His first solo exhibition was at Green Gallery in New York
- He joined Pace Gallery in 1965
- He created the immersive installation Room No. 2 at Pace Gallery
- He began experimenting with Polaroids in 1969
- He produced digital works like Photoifctions in 2003
- His work is in collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, and Whitney Museum of American Art
- His work is also in the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Walker Art Center, and Art Institute of Chicago
- Other institutions holding his work include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and Tate
- The National Gallery of Australia and Iwaki City Art Museum also have his work
- He was known for box sculptures and photographic manipulations
Entities
Artists
- Lucas Samaras
- Allan Kaprow
- George Segal
- Meyer Schapiro
Institutions
- Pace Gallery
- Rutgers University
- Columbia University
- Green Gallery
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Museum of Modern Art
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Dia Art Foundation
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Walker Art Center
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Tate
- National Gallery of Australia
- Iwaki City Art Museum
Locations
- Kastoria
- Greece
- United States
- New Jersey
- New York
- Washington, D.C.
- Minneapolis
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- London
- Canberra
- Japan