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Nikos (Nicholaos) Sofialakis, a Master of Classical Realism, b. 1914, d. 2002, was a Greek sculptor, painter, and teacher.

CONTENTS 1. The Early Years 2. Notable Dignitaries 3. The Sculptor 4. The Painter 5. The Teacher 6. Life, Family & Philosophy 7. Atelier 8. Public Works 9. Exhibits 10. Literature 11. Recordings 12. Official Website

The Early Years Nikos Sofialakis was born in Rhethymnon, Crete, Greece. Between 1925-1937 he apprenticed under the sculptor G. Bonanos, a great late 19th century Greek sculptor who studied at the Canova School in Italy. In 1938, N. Sofialakis, entered the School of Fine Arts and studied directly under Michael Tombros, of the Paris School, who was the Director of the Greek Academy of Fine Arts. N. Sofialakis graduated in 1944 receiving four recognitions and two first place awards. Sofialakis’ work has been exhibited as much in Greece as abroad, many pieces of which grace charitable foundations, public areas and private collections. N. Sofialakis has presented his work in five personal exhibits and in several group exhibits within Greece. He has participated since 1939, in every Pan-Hellenic Exhibit and has also participated in the Exhibits of Greek Artists at Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Oslo (1974) as well as the International Exhibit at Cairo (1947).

In 1967 he traveled to the United States by special invitation and participated with some of his most representative pieces in the Fine Arts Festival of Mediterranean Countries in New York and Washington, D.C. During his stay in the United States he was assigned the creation of the Medal of Peace.

Television, radio and newspaper coverage greatly publicized his work. During this period, the University of Louisville, KY, presented him with an honorary medal for his distinguished work in the United States. The works exhibited in the United States were 70 in number and were all of marble; part of the theme entitled, “The Gods of Greece.”

In 1969 he presented his work, “The Battle of Crete” at his Atelier. This synthesis, a bas-relief marble frieze of 18m is located at the Museum of National Resistance, in Heraklion, Crete. In 1970, he returned to the United States upon invitation to represent Greece in the Fine Arts Festival for Mediterranean Countries, this time being held in Denver, Colorado. His work was subsequently exhibited at the Virginia Museum of Art in Washington, D.C. During this second visit to the U.S., Nikos Sofialakis was welcomed with special praise by the media and received the distinction of honorary citizen of the city of Alexandria, Virginia.

These pieces along with later work, were presented in Athens, at the Gallery Rotonda in 1971. In 1975, he exhibited 14 pieces in marble at the Gallery Agape at Blankeneser, Hamburg, Germany at which gallery a piece of his, a marble crest, was enwalled.

Over 60 of his works (the majority in marble and the rest in bronze) graze public areas and foundations throughout Greece and Cyprus. A great number of his works in marble, many of which are considered “micro-sculptures”, have been purchased by collectors both in Greece and abroad, including the U.S., England, Austria, Spain, Germany, Australia, France and Egypt.

Notable Dignitaries Talk about the people he met, people he knew, cultivated friendships with writers, playwrights, politicians, royalty, etc. link their profiles to this page 1. Nikos Kazantzakis—prominent novelist and philosopher from Crete; 2. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis; 3. C. Everett Koop, M.D.; 4. Queen Frederika and King Paul of Greece; 5. Georgios N. Papanikolaou—professor and inventor of Pap test for cervical cancer; 6. Princess Alexandra—daughter of Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark; 7. G. Xenopoulos—writer and playwright; 8. Eleftherios Venizelos –significant politician of modern Greece;

The Sculptor Sofialakis often used marble from Paros, which produces a fine-grained semi-translucent pure-white marble, highly prized in the ancient world. He also use marble from Pendeli, famous for its use to construct the Acropolis; Pendelic marble is flawless white with a faint yellow tint, which makes it shine with a golden hue under sunlight.

Sofialakis was well known at the quarries where he hand-picked his own blocks of marble after careful examination of the stone’s formation and softness. It was exceedingly important to acquire a piece that was resistant to shattering.

Sofialakis used tools of the trade dating back several centuries. His original hammer and chisel and several measuring tools (now considered antiques), are on display at the Center of Neoclassical Sculpture in Athens.

He was especially adept in life-size sculptures and busts, which is why he had so many commissions for politicians, writers, professors and other celebrities of his time.

The Painter The Teacher

Nikos Sofialakis tutored many art students, both Greek and foreign on the concepts of anatomy, perspective, portrait, and landscape. He had many students learning the art of terra cotta clay but only a few ambitious students for sculpting. They each took turns posing and composing pieces of artwork, as Sofialakis liked to employ his own unique teaching methods.

Because he was a great patron of the arts and wanted to cultivate it among younger generations, he did not charge any money for the lessons he gave.

Life, Family and Philosophy Nikos Sofialakis married Chrysoula Koumarianou, also of Crete in 1945. Rita Sofialaki, their only daughter married George P.Chraniotis. Sofialakis had the good fortune to enjoy two granddaughters, Franjeska Nicole and Chrysoula Ann, and one great-granddaughter, Rita-Georgette. Sofialakis was always kind to animals, loved nature, and supported the welfare of young children. He had an open door and an open heart for everyone, and had an incredibly hospitable personality. His enduring Cretan spirit personified the old adage: “Eat, Drink and be Merry”

Atelier becomes Neoclassical Center The original atelier was a single-story, white-washed building with an open courtyard, several fig trees, rose bushes and grape vines. The walkway leading from the garden to the main studio workshop, was made from a patchwork of small marble pieces Sofialakis had carved during his free time. Eventually, his garden had become a masterpiece of its own with such favorite designs including owls, dolphins, cats, ships, flowers and ancient Greek motifs.

The Atelier housed the majority of his work and hosted several exhibitions in Sofialakis’ early years. It had become a small ‘paradise’, as the artist would often say, because it was hidden inside a luscious green pine forest away from traffic and city life.

It was Sofialakis’ dream to see his Atelier become a modern museum. Today, his family continues his legacy by keeping their private collection on display at the same address where the new structure was built.

Sofialakis Atelier, Garden & Workshop,

Neoclassical Center, Private Collection, 2004

Public Works Notable sites: 1. Motherhood, 1944, Alexandras Maternity Clinic, Athens, won 1st prize in sculpture, black granite 2. El Greco, Domenicus Theotokopoulos, 1948, Herakleion, Crete, super scale-size marble bust of great Cretan Painter. 3. Eleftherios Venizelos, date? , Halandri, Athens, white marble bust of political figure. 4. Battle of Crete, 1967, Herakleion, Crete, 18m tablets set permanently as the focal point at the National Resistance Museum. 5. Aegean Kore, date ? , Central Bank of Greece, Athens, porolithos stone 6. Queen Frederika, date? , National Art Gallery, Athens 7. Head of Odysseus, date ?, City Hall Mayor’s Office, Chania, Crete, marble 8. Glory, date ? , Rethymnon Square, Memorial to the Fallen, marble 9. G. Xenopoulos, date ? , St. Dionysos Square, Zakynthos, marble 10. Metropolitan Nicodemus Milonas, date ? , Ammohostos Square, Cyprus, super scale size

Exhibits (list all his exhibits in chronological order)

Literature Reference Books:

-ABI-International Directory of Distinguished Leadership, Fifth Edition, 1994 -DBE-Dictionnaire Biographique Europeen, 1994 -The International Register of Profiles, World Edition, 1976 -Eleftheroudakis Lexicon, year?

Magazines:

-Athene, Autumn, 1948, issue 3, p.8 & p.13 -La Semaine Egyptienne, Nov. 1948, issue 27-28, p.7 & p.15 -Guzel Sanatlar Dergisi, 1952, p.4-5 -Pictures from Greece, Dec. 1959, p.42-43 -The Alumni News, Feb.1964, p.14 -The Athens Hilton Magazine, issue 43, Dec. 1966, p.10-11 -Macy’s Star, Oct. 1967, p.3 (w/photo) -Quality 9, Apr-Jul., 1970, p.13 -Galleria Veneta, 1970, p.37-40 (w/photo & front cover) -Signature, Apr-Jun., 1971, issue 28, p.34-35 -Galleria Veneta, Feb. 1972, issue 9, opening front cover -Athens News, Oct. 1973 -Signature, Oct. 1976, p.68 -Signature, Winter, 1976, p.6 -Wiener Urania, May 1981, p.2-3 -Wiener Urania, June 1981, p.7

Recordings There are at least two documentaries done on the artist’s life and work. The name of these documentaries will be added at a later date, along with information on how to obtain these on DVD.

Becoming A Patron of the Center

"The Nikos Sofialakis Center of Neoclassical Sculpture" is a recognized, non-profit organization which was established in 2004. The Center carries a permanent exhibit of the works of Nikos Sofialakis from the founders’ private collection.

The Center’s main objectives are the study, the promotion and the cultivation of community interest in Neoclassical Sculpture and Fine Arts. Supporters and Patrons of the Arts are encouraged to become involved in the success and growth of the Center to help maintain daily operations and programs that will serve the arts community.

To become a member of the Center of Neoclassical Sculpture, it is necessary to submit an application to the President of the Board.

Send correspondence to: Mr. George P. Chraniotis, Gazias 12 & Taxilou Str., Ano Ilisia, 15771, Athens, Greece Email: info@sofialakis.org Subj: MEMBERSHIP Telephone: +30-210-7772077

See also neoclassicism, greek sculptors, modern fine arts, private museums, etc. External links ~Nikos Sofialakis Center of Neoclassical Sculpture Official Website (www.sofialakis.org) ~ Hellenic Ministry of Culture (www.yppo.gr/2/g22.jsp?obj_id=3622) ~Municipality of Heraklion, for Museum of National Resistance ~Greek Museums Guide (www.greek-museums.com) ~Prince's School of Traditional Arts (www.psta.org.uk/postgraduateprogramme/scholarships)