About

Nagas is a New York gallery dedicated to 20th-century art, with a focus on Modernism and Surrealism. The gallery’s program centers on historically significant artists whose contributions were substantial yet remain insufficiently acknowledged within the broader canon. Through rigorous research and carefully curated presentations, Nagas works to recontextualize these figures within the larger narrative of modern art.
 
Located at 47 W 28th Street, on the second floor of a landmark townhouse in Manhattan, the gallery occupies a building embedded in the city’s cultural fabric. The address forms part of what was once Tin Pan Alley, the storied block long associated with composers, publishers, and creative experimentation. This historical context provides a fitting framework for the gallery’s mission.
 
At its core, Nagas is guided by a belief that the history of modern art remains open to refinement. The gallery operates with a long-term perspective, building a program that values depth over immediacy and continuity over trend. By concentrating on artists whose work retains innovative strength and historical relevance, Nagas contributes to a more enduring vision of 20th-century art.
  • Ilian Rebei, Founder

    Ilian Rebei

    Founder

    Ilian Rebei began his career in 2019, dealing art privately, before opening his first permanent gallery in Paris in 2020 with a retrospective of Jules Cavaillès. From the start, his approach has emphasized museum-quality works and rigorous curation. He has collaborated on exhibitions with international institutions, leading artists of the past century, and major galleries such as Hauser & Wirth

     

    Nagas opened in New York in 2025 as a continuation of this work. Since then, Ilian has curated significant exhibitions,. It includes one on Leonor Fini and the first show of Scandinavian Surrealists following a conference at the Moderna Museet. In the gallery context, he has overseen catalogues production, curated exhibitions, and facilitated the placement of artworks in institutions across the US, the UK, and France.

     

    Ilian studied art history at La Sorbonne and business at EDHEC, and he has supported institutions such as LACMA and the Paris National Opera.