The National Gallery in Athens is hosting a major exhibition celebrating the legacy of George Costakis, the visionary collector who rescued thousands of Russian and Soviet avant-garde works from state-sponsored oblivion. Born in Moscow to Greek parents, Costakis spent decades acquiring pieces by artists like Kazimir Malevich and Liubov Popova at a time when such art was vilified by the Soviet regime. The new exhibition reinterprets these works through the lens of humanity's relationship with the environment, marking 30 years since the collection was first shown in Greece.
This exhibition highlights the critical role of private collectors in preserving cultural heritage that political regimes seek to erase. By showcasing artists from diverse backgrounds—including Ukrainian, Latvian, and Polish—the show challenges the monolithic label of the 'Russian' avant-garde during a period of intense geopolitical conflict. Furthermore, it honors the provenance of the MOMus-Museum of Modern Art in Thessaloniki, which was founded upon the acquisition of the Costakis collection, cementing its status as a cornerstone of Greece’s modern art landscape.