why did u choose The divine comedy as your reference point?
i often use texts as reference points for my paintings. Some years before, while reading¨Waste land¨by T.S.Elliot,and noticing the references to Dante´s Divine Comedy, the idea came to me to work at some point on this. In the end of 2004 i accidentally came in possession of the book translated in greek by Kazantzakis. I started keeping notes and drawing drafts for about one year. It was not until 2006 that i started painting the first chapters.
what are your thoughts on painting?
i believe that , in general, in painting, the artist tries to respond to the
"colour/form" pair. I use my own symbols and personal elements in order to respond to this relation, creating strong images.
do u believe that the original image -idea changes during the painting process?
i start working an idea based on the verse i select from the text. Since i work on my paintings for an average period of 2-3 months i am able to control my work. I do not believe in accidental painting. Even when an accident occurs the painter chooses whether and how he will use this accident. I draw on the floor and this enables me ,to work a painting all over from every different side. This is my choice, it cannot be considered accidental. U make decisions. Especially when u work at a slow pace there is no way of painting by accident. U study, u plan, u abstract or add pieces...
