THE ARMORY SHOW 2024
Chryssa (solo presentation)

Blue Velvet debuts at the Armory Show with a solo booth in the main gallery section, presenting the work of the late Greek-American artist Chryssa (1933–2013). Chryssa's ability to bridge art, industrial processes, urban environments, and mass communication positions her work as a powerful testament to the early beginnings of Minimalism and Pop Art. We are proud to be able to showcase significant and historical works from every period of Chryssa's life. From her early Cycladic Books and her Newspaper Paintings with clone stamping of advertisements and stock exchange charts from the 50's, to her groundbreaking neon boxes from the late 60's.

A prominent artist in her own time, one who was represented by Betty Parsons, Denise René, Pace and later Leo Castelli, Chryssa was almost invariably at the forefront of post-war art, often predicting or pressing at the limits of Pop, Minimalism, Conceptualism, and light art. The artist’s biographical details are captivating as well: an immigrant to the United States from Greece, an openly queer woman long before Stonewall, Chryssa lived in New York City for nearly half her life, drawing inspiration notably from the neon signage of Times Square, the logographs of Chinatown, and her artistic milieu around the Coenties Slip.

Our presentation marks the first time in over two decades that a comprehensive selection of Chryssa’s work has been made commercially available in New York. Considering the renewed institutional and critical attention currently surrounding Chryssa’s practice, our Armory presentation is a long-overdue occasion in the art market.