Chryssa (1933–)
Chryssa (1933–)
Greek-born American painter and sculptor. Name variations: Varda Chryssa; also seen as Vardea or Verdea. Born Chryssa Mavromichali, 1933, in Athens, Greece; studied at Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris, 1953–54, and California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco, 1954–55.
Famed for pioneering the use of electric light, neon and outdoor signs as an art form known as Luminist or Light Art; at 21, sailed to New York, where she became fascinated with Times Square; worked initially with paintings and metal reliefs for such works as the Cycladic Book series (1955–56), depicting Japanese calligraphy and Roman letters; later works include "Times Square Sky" (1962), "Large Bird Shape" (1973–75), "Chinese Floor Sculpture" (1983), and "The Gates to Times Square" (1966), said to be one of the most important American sculptures of all time.