Alexis Akrithakis, Greek 1939-94

Acquired in Germany by the husband of the previous owner; thence by descent
Private Collection, Athens

Executed circa 1973-75, during Akrithakis' stay in Germany, the present work encapsulates within its symbolism the artists' pre-occupation with travel as an expression for his desire to flee from reality.

As Maria Kotsamani points out in her book on the artist: ''The suitcases, established as an emblem by the 70's, attests most unequivocally to the artist's desire to travel. From this point on, depending on the itinerary, the trip takes over the rest of his symbols, always retaining a cheerful, oneiric quality. In essence, however, this is not the depiction of a reality, but a dream of the real. At a second, more penetrating glance, the viewer perceives that the pure, innocent childlike work, in which the artist has invested his vision, is not real. In the end the inverted meaning thwarts any possibility of actual happiness. (...) For Akrithakis, the notion of travel is always expressed by the desire to escape the real world, to make the transition to another whose geographic co-ordinates he is constantly seeking. Objectively speaking, his is a utopian journey, a trip not to be found on the map of reason, but one accompanying the logic of dreams.'' (Maria Kotsamani ed., Akrithakis, Athens, 1997, pp. 29-30). 

The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by Mrs Kotsamani, who will include it in her forthcoming Akrithakis catalogue raisonne.