Stephen Antonakos, Neon Lintel, 1997

Stephen Antonakos, Neon Lintel, 1997
Neon, painted raceway, Collection Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, SUNY, Museum purchase and partial gift of the artist, 1998.03.01

Neon Lintel is a luminous threshold that integrates seamlessly with the architectural environment of Purchase College. Antonakos’s use of neon in this work exemplifies his minimalist approach, transforming simple geometric forms into meditative experiences of light and space. The work exists in direct relationship to its structural surroundings, emphasizing the dialogue between art and architecture.

Temporarily de-installed during nearby construction, Neon Lintel was celebrated anew with its reinstallation in 2021, which coincided with the exhibition Stephen Antonakos: Project Drawings. That show featured the artist’s preparatory sketches and conceptual studies, offering insight into his creative process and his ongoing exploration of form, light, and spatial relationships. Together, the reinstallation and exhibition reaffirmed the lasting significance of Antonakos’s work within the museum’s collection and his broader contributions to the field of light art.