Christeas’ BIO

Born in Athens, Greece, in 1944, Gregory Christeas began painting at the age of five under the guidance of his mother. Over the decades, he participated in numerous group exhibitions and held several solo shows. A milestone in his career occurred during the Cultural Olympiad Athens 2004, when he was invited by the Ministry of Development and the Greek National Tourism Organization to present a major solo exhibition featuring 125 paintings.

On opening night, the Minister of Development, Mr. Akis Tsohatzopoulos, publicly recognized Christeas and his group of freedom fighters as national heroes for their critical role in defeating the dictatorship and restoring democracy. The event was also attended by Mr. Nikos Diamadis, President of the Greek National Tourism Organization. The exhibition was curated by esteemed art historian Mr. Leontios Petmezas and meticulously installed by the artist’s son, Elias Christeas.

Artistic Journey

Christeas’ work has continuously evolved, exploring deeply personal and historical themes. Key series include:

• “Up the Moon” – Inspired by nightmares and emotional trauma following his resistance against the 1967 military junta.

• “NYC Waterfront Reflections” – A vibrant collection capturing the energy and rhythm of urban life.

• “Glow Series” – Created using custom acrylics on canvas, this series employs a unique technique where colors shift with changing daylight. Under blacklight, hidden dimensions are revealed, transforming the viewing experience.

• “Parallels Series” – Considered the pinnacle of his artistic evolution, this series reflects over 60 years of refinement and creative language.

Christeas’ paintings are included in the permanent collections of three museums in Greece.

Beyond the Canvas

Christeas also made his mark in automotive design. In the early 1970s, he created a two-seater convertible that won first prize at the International Custom Car Show in New York City for two consecutive years (1971 and 1972). In the 1980s, he continued this creative path by building custom convertibles featured in television productions. Most notably, a red IROC-Z he designed became the signature vehicle in the TV series Simon & Simon. This car was later adapted into a model kit by Monogram and transformed into a coveted Hot Wheels collectible.