Wrightwood 659 presents long unseen neon sculptures by Greek-born artist Chryssa

Co-organised by the Dia Art Foundation and the Menil Collection, Chryssa & New York marks the first comprehensive survey of works by the Greek-born artist Chryssa (1933–2013) in North America since 1982. The art exhibition is being hosted at Wrightwood 659 in Chicago, presented by Alphawood Exhibitions, from May 3 - July 27, 2024.

A leading figure in the New York art world in the 1950s and ’60s, Chryssa developed an innovative approach to activating sculptural surfaces through subtle manipulations of light and shadow. Pathbreaking in its use of signage, text and neon, her vastly under-recognised body of work bridges pop art, conceptual art and minimalist art ideas.

This exhibition focuses on works from these decades through to the early 1970s, bringing together Chryssa’s deeply formal concerns and critical interest in exploring the United States following the Second World War.

Chryssa & New York presents a comprehensive overview of the artist's diverse oeuvre, encompassing early pieces such as the enigmatic Cycladic Books series alongside numerous reliefs crafted from plaster and metal. These works skillfully capture the interplay of natural light. The exhibition features the newly restored sculpture The Gates to Times Square light sculpture, displayed alongside pieces that illuminate Chryssa’s creative processes in bringing this monumental work to fruition. Also showcased are her transitional works that combine metal and neon, along with examples of studies for The Gates.