Self Portrait Series: Γλάρος και Μάσκα (Gull and Mask)

Μάσκες - Masks in my work reveal instead of hiding, expose instead of concealing, seek to understand the inner workings of the human psyche ( a word of Greek origin: ψυχή) while, at the same time, approach our human condition with εμπάθεια - empathy. "Φιλία," the Greek word for friendship, is written on the stamp I have used for this particular μάσκα - mask. Friendship is the ultimate bond among individuals and nations that truly supports peaceful co-existance. It is my belief that genuine friendship results from εμπάθεια - empathy.

My two most prominant symbols surround me in this collage work: the Gull or Γλαροπούλι/Γλάρος in Greek and the μάσκα - mask of Pierrot.