(Garsot)
The Artist/Musician with his Paintings
click to hear his beautiful music
700 Peterson
Park Ridge, IL 60068
Email:
garsot2001@yahoo.com
Congratulations are in order for Garsot. He has been commissioned by Mr. Christopher Janus to do a painting for the new Alexandria Library in Alexandria, Egypt. The revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria is in its completion stages. For information on the library see
Alexandria Library.
About the Artist:
Born in Valta - Filiatra Messinias, Greece, in 1943. "Garsot", formerly known as "Sotiris". graduated as fine artist in Greece and did post graduate work in sculpture at the University of South Africa in Pretoria. Gardiakos Sotiris became "Garsot" in 1995. Sotiris' creation of "Garsot" is meant to signify a neutral entity.
"I want to be anonymous. I want to be someone who is a friend with everybody"
GarsotRead more about the Artist at bottom of the page.
More About the Artist:
Works: Garsot's works comprise many different styles, from classic to modern to surrealism. One concept remains evident, Garsot paints to portray feelings of optimism, hope, to make everyone feel good for a better tomorrow.Themes: Some of the themes that Garsot is most concerned with deal with the environment.
"I like to take the colors from nature, from the jungle, from the safari, the fresh air. The elements to get inspired are there. After the storm, when the waters are calming, quietly hitting the rocks you may see the birth of Aphrodite, the beautiful woman of today. She's the center of the universe.":
Garsot loves the image of the woman. He loves to beautify women and give them a certain position, putting the woman at the center of the stage because she is very important for the men. He reveals different perspectives, sides of people and things, both the inner and the outer. For instance, in some of his paintings of the sea he portrayed what lies inside of the ocean as well as what exists on the outside.
Influence: Garsot travels to many continents and they have influenced him greatly. Greece, its culture and mythology; Africa and its bushmen art, masks; and American culture, especially from Los Angeles, where Garsot saw similarities between Greece and America and thus, intermingled this in his art, something known as the Surreal, where Garsot always illustrates the environment and the puzzling elements interrelated with each other creating some positive surreal engagement! Like Greek mythological schemes, along with glamour, a little Hollywood pizazz, etc. It is the real and the not real that you may see in some of Garsot's creative artworks.
Exhibits: Garsot's work has been shown in various parts of the world.
In America:
- The New England Fine Arts Institute in Boston, MA
- The Hellenic Museum in Chicago, IL
- The Illinois Art Institute
- TIMOTCA, The International Museum of Twentieth Century Arts in Laguna Beach, CA
- Many One Man Shows in Galleries in Los Angeles, CA and on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, CA
- Also exhibits is Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, as well as the International Art Expo in Los Angeles, CA and Houston, TX.
In 1988 Garsot's paintings were part of a special exhibition along with the works of Picasso, Salvador Dali, Erte, and Miro (the most famous artists of the 20th century)
In other parts of the World -
From 1972 to 1978
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Pretoria, South Africa
1998 - 1999
Garsot is listed in Who's Who International
Awards:
1988: Garsot received the 1st Award on his artwork for the centennial of Orange County, California Theme: Orange County Tomorrow.
2000: Garsot received the Twenty-First Century Achievement Award by the American Biographical Institute as most admirable and whose career achievements and social contributions have been selected for permanent documentation in 500 LEADERS OF INFLUENCE designed for biographical reference and inspiration for present-day citizens of the Twenty-First Century as well as future generations.
500 LEADERS OF INFLUENCE will be on permanent record at the U.S. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Publication date: 2001Artist's Statement:
Garsot's Message -
This is what I do best. I love what I'm doing. My message is that this is a way to transmit some poisitive messages to people. This is not a political style. This is something that most people are interested in today, a clean and healthy environment. That's why I show this in my paintings, in a realistic way or through surreal expression. Elements of surreal and real are related. They talk to each other and together they form a unique expression and always in my themes there is an optimistic feeling.I'd love my art to be like a substitute for doctor's drugs. I'd like anyone who sees my artwork to say, "Yes! This is a good day today!" After that you don't have to fight with anyone.
I'm sure that I'm doing something good with my work. I don't know if I'm changing the history of Art for more or less an inch, but because I love it I'm pleased with what I'm doing. I love people and I'd like to create anything that will make everyone feel good for a better tomorrow.
S.G.G.
