George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely

In 2008, the Greek businessman and collector Dakis Joannou chose an unlikely location for an outpost of DESTE Foundation, his non-profit arts institution in Athens: a former slaughterhouse on Hydra, an island so small that no motor vehicles are permitted. The DESTE Project Space Slaughterhouse opened the following year. Since then the Foundation has invited a single artist or group to create a summer show; this year it’s the turn of George Condo, whose exhibition ‘The Mad and the Lonely’ comprises small-scale paintings and sculptures created across his career (until 31 October). Portrait-like paintings of humanoid creatures – leering, grinning, their faces distorted – are displayed on coloured blocks that contrast against the weathered walls, alongside grotesque bronze busts and a life-size figure titled The Triumph of Insanity (2008).

Find out more from DESTE Foundation’s website.

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The Triumph of Insanity (detail; 2008), George Condo. Photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis; courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth; © the artist

The Satyr (2009), George Condo. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth; © the artist

Installation view of The Lunatic (2009) by George Condo at DESTE Foundation Project Space Slaughterhouse. Photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis; courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth; © the artist