Ghika at the Benaki: A Journey from West to East
What: Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika, one of Greece’s most pivotal 20th-century painters, takes center stage at the Benaki Museum in a masterfully curated retrospective that spans six decades of his work, from 1930 to 1990. Marking 30 years since the artist’s passing, this exhibition revisits his transformative 1958 odyssey from West to East—a journey that forever altered his artistic vision.
The story begins with a simple invitation: Ghika was selected for an American cultural exchange, a journey that would deeply shape his creative evolution. From a residency in Washington, he made his way to New York, Buffalo, and San Francisco, before venturing south to Santa Fe and the deserts of New Mexico. But rather than retrace his steps back home, Ghika chose to circle the globe, returning to Greece by way of Asia—a decision that would bring profound new dimensions to his work. His route led him to Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Cambodia, and India, with final stops in Cairo and London. For Ghika, this voyage was not merely geographical; it was a profound artistic exploration, a way of bridging Eastern philosophies and aesthetics with his Mediterranean roots.
The exhibition, meticulously arranged, invites visitors into a contemplative space. Drawings, rare archival materials, and artifacts he collected along the way offer glimpses into the artist’s evolving worldview and his fascination with the harmonies of East and West. Woven into the exhibit is a love story, too—a tribute to Barbara Warner, Ghika’s muse and travel companion, who shared in this life-altering journey. An interactive audiovisual installation and a stunningly beautiful Japanese tea room, complete with tatami mats and rice paper panels, enhances the immersion, guiding guests through the places and ideas that shaped Ghika’s legacy.
This exhibition also offers a fresh perspective on Greece’s celebrated ‘Generation of the 1930s’—artists, poets, and architects who embraced modernism and boldly redefined Greek art. At the Benaki Museum, Ghika’s journey beckons, blending personal revelation with artistic revolution and capturing a man—and an era—in motion.
When: Until February 16, 2025
Where: Benaki Museum Pireos Annexe, benaki.org
