Remembering Jannis Kounellis

It is with resounding sorrow that we mourn the passing of Jannis “Gianni” Kounellis (1936–2017). One of the pioneers of the Arte Povera movement, and one of the most inspirational Italian artists of the 20th century. Born in Piraeus, Greece, Kounellis moved to Rome in 1956 to attend the Accademia di Belle Arti stating, "I arrived on the day of the New Year in 1956, a date that for me is not easy to be forgotten." Subsequently, he made Italy his home, where he lived and worked until his passing, becoming a naturalized Italian citizen.

Kounellis was known to create revolutionary works that pushed the boundaries of the definition of art. Beginning with his Alphabet paintings, the artist shifted away from his conventional medium, giving way for his artistic oeuvre to flourish into pragmatic installations. Kounellis’ distinguishing repertoire—old shoes and coats, soil, sacking, coal, and maritime objects, among others—allowed the artist to combine art and history with the immediacy and tangibility of the present. Other fundamental themes explored through his works include industrialization and trade, sea travel, immigration, and subtle nuances to nature and politics.

Though his art is mostly defined by sculpture, installation, and performance, Kounellis always considered himself an Italian painter, stating: “To define oneself a painter means having that tradition and way of thinking, where freedom takes you, on its multicolored sails, on mountain lakes and oceans toward uncharted islands—this is painting. And each time, it is unique and unrepeatable."

The team at Magazzino Italian Art extends our heartfelt and deepest condolences to his family and friends. Kounellis will continue to influence generations of artists and his legacy will live forever.