Constantine Evangelos Abanavas (1922-2008) was a Greek-American artist. He was raised on the island of Lemnos, Greece, and spent his adulthood in New York City. Abanavas’ artistic practice focused on oil painting, but also expanded to mosaics, as well as copper and plastic sculpture work.

Part of a group of New York-based Greek-American artists, including Theo Hios and Lou Trakis, his homeland and upbringing served as his principal source of inspiration throughout his life. With limited economic resources, Abanavas dedicated his life to his work in whatever way he could, whether it was repurposing metals he found for sculptures or converting his home into his studio.

Upon retirement, he moved to SoHo, New York, then an artists’ community, and was able to dedicate himself entirely to his craft. In a loft he built to his design, Abanavas created until his very last days, passing away in 2008 at the age of 86. He was a husband to Shirley, a father of two, and a grandfather of four.

Πηγή: https://www.abanavas.com/