Nella Golanda (1941-2023) was a distinguished visual artist and urban landscape sculptor. She was systematically engaged with holistic design in public space, collective outdoor life in the postmodern city, and the combination of sculpture and architecture. Her emblematic work “Glyptos Potamos” (“Sculpted River”) impressively redesigned Postal Square and Central Square in Larissa.
Her Life and Work
Nella Golanda’s parents were from Thessaly; her father from Ambelakia and her mother from Larissa. However, she was born in Athens in June 1941 because in Larissa, in April of the same year, there was a massive earthquake followed by a bombardment of the city by the retreating Italians. Thus, the family decided to seek refuge in Athens. Nella Golanda returned to Larissa at the age of four. She finished school and then attended the Athens School of Fine Arts, specializing in engraving under the instruction of Konstantinos Grammatopoulos.
After her studies, Golanda gradually evolved into a sculptor and became involved with “building-integrated sculpture” and urban landscape design. Among her works are Floisvos Square in Faliro (1984-1986), the sculptural theater in Aixoni (1984-1992), the “Open Museum of Ancient Quarry Art” in the Dionysos Quarries area (1994-1997), Attiki Odos in the section of the Western Hymettus Ring Road (1999-2005), and the “Vaso Katraki” Central Square in Glyfada (2005-2008).
