Artist Statement
My art is a form of protest and a celebration of nature. The plight of Native Americans and the fate of wolves are connected in my mind; in both instances, rich traditions have been undermined by injustice and craven opportunism. Ever since I was a kid reading the Homeric epics, I have been fascinated by the complex relationship between the victor and the vanquished and by how winning sometimes isn't winning - it's a form of losing. I feel that art is an ideal vehicle for alerting people to what has been lost. As an artist I count myself an individualist and hate all fads. I have never pursued technical polish as an end in itself, always believing that if the idea is good, a technical solution will often suggest itself. I like using the palette knife because I am interested in the textural variety I can get with it; this textural variety is well suited to the often crunchy and gritty subject matter I deal with. My humor is of the satirical variety and I guess it comes, in part, from my experiences in the California counter-cultural scene of the late 1960's. I feel I have been successful when someone sees my work and has a flash of understanding about the majesty of nature or a pang of regret about the loss of Native Americans and their culture. Art is a way of putting the pieces of the puzzle back together and a way of commenting on why we choose to remain ignorant.
Demetrious Rezos
