Dubai: For most people, remarkable events occur without them taking notice. Artists, on the other hand, pause, think and immortalise the value of these events.
This can be seen in the case of Alecos Fassianos, master of contemporary Greek art, and Timur D'Vatz, a promising young Russian artist.
The two form a perfect marriage of traditional artwork and modern style — evoked from myths, history and remarkable events — which they share with Dubai art lovers.
Fassianos' art is timeless in style, and is awash with vibrant figures — mirroring the work of Matisse as well as classical imagery from Greek pottery. He, however, incorporates classical myths and contemporary Greek elements in his style.
Fassianos was born in Athens in 1935 and studied at the Athens School of Fine Art, graduating in 1960, before heading to Paris to study lithography the same year. He then lived and worked in both cities.
The Greek artist likes to resurrect the events of time on canvas. "I like to depict freedom and keep a rational balance between past and present. The past is worthwhile to be resurrected in art in order to take lessons and learn," he told Gulf News at a recent exhibition at the Opera Gallery at Dubai International Financial Centre.
Materialism
"People nowadays are very materialistic and the spiritual side is totally waved aside," he said.
Icons used to symbolise freedom, which include horses and birds, are portrayed on his canvas and he applies the same philosophical equation to mankind as well. "I paint people with wings; even the most materialistic country, America, has created the myth of Spider-Man to reach the spiritual power," he said.
Fassianos told Gulf News he attempts to convey a message through his art.
"I seek to convey a message that brings us back to the spiritual realm and make us less materialistic. We ought to keep a rational balance in such a demanding life and allow peace to flow into our hearts — this balance will remind us we are human beings, not robots," he said.
He becomes nature's advocate, communicating the spirit of responsibility towards nature in a painting showing a man with bicycle.
"I encourage people to reconcile with the environment and use a tool of transportation that doesn't harm the surroundings and I seek to resurrect yesterday's simple life into today's materialistic rhythm," Fassianos said.
Since 1959, he has done more than 70 solo exhibitions in Paris, Athens, Milan, and other locations. He recently showcased nine paintings, including one drawn on a table.
Russian flavour
D'vatz was born in 1968 in Moscow. He studied at the Republic College of Art in Tashkent in Uzbekistan. he completed his post-graduate studies at the Royal Academy School in London.
"Being brought up in Uzbekistan has created a radiant attachment towards the sun and golden colours, which can be seen in my artworks," he told Gulf News.
"I'm inspired by the ancient civilisations, I also like to explore different cultures, either ancient or modern," he said, as he spoke on his inspiration.
"If I don't paint for two weeks I'll get sick. Colours make me healthy.
"I'm profoundly influenced by early Russian icons, in which the elongated figures are seen in vibrant shades of red and yellow in my paintings," the London-based artist said.
"I also incorporate symbols and figures from many early Arthurian legends, traditional tales of hunting, musicians, and animals."
D'vatz is also attracted to the Renaissance revival.
He has been awarded several prizes, including the B.P. Portrait Award in 2002 at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
His paintings include those entitled Mystic Forest, Arabian Nights, Autumn Ceremony, Falconer, Golden Leopard and many other samples inspired by hunting.
