The Dark Side
I’ ve heard Art described concisely as “…purpose finding form in material through technique”
This view tells me that the purpose or function of an artwork is best serviced by the optimum choice of material and the method of execution. When I work in color it is usually small scale, formalistic and abstract. My purpose - to create something of formal compositional beauty.
The Black work in the show was made at different times over the past 25 years in direct response to specific (negative) events or dark periods in my personal life as well as in our shared national and global interests, threats and fears.
I choose black ink or paint as my medium because to me black is the no-color of truth, the written word, newspapers. Color alone can “speak” or convey feelings and emotions. Black speaks no other language than line, shape, value and contrast. The India Ink on the smooth non-absorbent surface of Yupo paper allows me to be rough, emotionally expressive and physical on a large scale. I expect the busy kinetic energy of the liquid ink marks and drips will enhance the unease I feel and need to express in such times of woe. Like NOW!
- Leonard Ragouzeos
LEONARD RAGOUZEOS
WORKS ON PAPER 2005-2025
in color and bK&Wh
Exhibition: Jun 6 - August 24 2024
“All art is autobiographical; the pearl is the oyster’s autobiography“
This quote is attributed to Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. I’ve adopted this view that the work people do and the things created can represent who that person is, where they’ve been and what they were thinking and feeling. The object made becomes graphic evidence of the life lived and character of its maker. Like chapters in a book
The form, the manner and medium chosen by any artist are guided by the purpose and function of the piece as well as events of the day. Sometimes dark, sometimes light.
The monochrome black paintings/drawings are made with waterproof India Ink on Yupo, an archival synthetic paper, primarily used in the printing industry. The small color paintings employ various water media including gouache, watercolor, color inks & acrylics on archival paper or board
Leonard Ragouzeos:
ART TALK: In Color and Bk & Wh
In this talk, Leonard Ragouzeos reflects on twenty years of work on paper, discussing his use of ink and gouache, the shift between black-and-white and color, and how each piece mirrors his personal and artistic journey.
A Great Artist - by Robert Fritz
“My subject matter is most often a person or common object in black and white, isolated and presented on a larger-than-life scale.”
-Leonard Ragouzeos