Megapolis Magazine - Russia
The Sun Is Shining; The wonderful story of Nicholas Kontaxis
A Californian artist, Nicholas Kontaxis, creates large-scale abstract paintings, characterized by extremely vivid colors. For the past three years, his works have taken the American art scene by storm. His exhibitions have been held in Los Angeles, Sun Valley, Palm Springs, Chicago, and recently, his debut international exhibition has been presented in London. Artworks of the American artist have drawn the attention of Tom Kerridge, a famous British Michelin-starred chef.
By Yulia Ryndina
Nicholas Kontaxis is an unusual artist. Being only 23 years old, he overcomes more difficulties daily than others for their lifetime. In early childhood, he was diagnosed with a large brain tumor. The disease caused tens of thousands of seizures, which resulted in a developmental delay, problems with speech, and motor function. The family decided to help the boy maintain an active lifestyle without excessive use of medication and give him a chance to fulfill himself. It is art therapy that helps Nicholas cope with the disease. Being almost non-verbal, he uses paint as a way to communicate with the world.
Art as a therapy
Kontaxis has tried his hand at different kinds of art, but above all, he is interested in painting. He started to paint on a regular basis at 15. He had learned the basics of painting in a local school where his first exhibition was held. Back then, the guy could not imagine that it would become his vocation. To the surprise of the family, all his canvases were sold. They have been on display in local galleries for several years. Nicholas was getting commissions from restaurants, banks, hand ospitals.
Nicholas became a professional artist 4 years ago. According to his family and friends, his first artworks evoked associations with vibrations and balanced chaos. His paintings, usually created using a palette knife, are filled with bold colors and radiate positive energy. The technique was influenced by his fascination with Byzantine iconography. Even more, playfulness is added to the juicy art pieces of Nicholas by non-standard titles: “Sun Is Shining,” “I’m Great Too,” “Let Your Hair Down,” “Pink Weeds,” “Good Music,” and“Do You Have a Question”.
There is always someone of the artist’s relatives or a caretaker around. They support him if he falls or during seizures, as well as record everything he says. His mother tells that they try to record all of his words, «The other day he said: ‘Exit means a stop.” And that could be a title for a possible painting someday. One time he said, “Shimmy shimmy wow,” and we wrote that on the back of a painting».
In a garage which the family turned into a studio, Nicholas paints mostly standing and sitting — if he lacks energy. It is the place where he has created some vibrant canvases that are now used as decorations in houses of reality show celebrities and famous producers.
Nicholas, as an artist, possesses incredible qualities — patience, and perseverance. He paints daily, for hours, very slowly and carefully working on each element. Such consistent efforts lead to an amazing result.
The art of optimism
The first high-profile exhibition of the young artist that brought him fame in America was held in April 2017, in Los Angeles, thanks to his aunt, who is a designer. More than 1000 guests attended the vernissage. Several paintings priced between $700 and $18,000 found their owners. According to art dealers, Nicholas is a young talent whose works are worth seeing. They call his use of color phenomenal. Works of the artist combine harmony and disruption, opening new meanings each time you look at them. Some famous collectors, such as the head of YouTube and the owner of the Los Angeles Chargers, became Nicholas’s clients. Two canvases were sold to Shannon Beador, a Real Housewives of Orange County star. It is quite hard for Kontaxis to communicate, especially at events with a lot of strangers. His words are his strokes. The attention of celebrities does not affect Nicholas’s art. He paints because he likes it. There are no days when he does not paint.
Kontaxis’s artworks change with the course of his disease. Surprisingly, they are fascinating because of their imperfections. Painting often becomes therapy for people suffering from autism. While most people get tired of constant repetition, for some of them, it is an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the process.
Contemporary artists mostly promote a joyless, nihilistic, and cynical view of the world. Instead, Nicholas Kontaxis’s art radiates optimism even though he overcomes challenges every day. Which, fortunately, they do not affect his cheerful and sunny personality.