Artist

Jannis Kounellis

1936–2017 · Greek-born Italian

Jannis Kounellis moved to Rome in 1956 and became one of Arte Povera’s defining artists. Beginning with painted letters and signs, he shifted toward installations using coal, iron, burlap, fire, coffee, wool and living animals, bringing industrial and elemental materials into direct confrontation with gallery architecture.

Installation; sculpture; performance; painting