ALEX'S ISLAND

Oil on birch plywood, 30 x 55 inches, 1999

(Private collection, Orlando, Florida)

Alex's Island was conceived as a gift for a young man, whose parents come from very different backgrounds--Greece and Scandinavia.  The composition is divided into three areas--the central one is the island of the young man and it is linked by bridges with another island, featuring a Greek town--on the left and with the third island, housing a Scandinavian village--on the right.  It is easy to see that the central part is completely invented (besides its middle part, which alludes to the wedding of the parents in Hawaii), while the side areas are relatively "realistic" and include images which help in their identification. A Greek Orthodox church and flat roof whitewashed houses with stores selling such things as Greek national instruments (mpouzoukia) are combined with Greek boats and, as a matter of interest, with a white sand beach based, at least in concept, on the famous secluded beach on the island of Zakynthos. On the Sacandinavian side, besides a Viking ship, we can notice the Viking earthen houses, covered with sod, a famous wooden church, a large tombstone with red inscriptions, and an ancient Viking burial in a shape of a boat. On the wall there is an inscription in original runes, and the key to their deciphering is found on the bridge leading to the island. A corresponding inscription in Greek can be found on the wall surrounding the Greek side.  The flying objects in the sky are related to the family and add an interesting whimsical touch to the composition.

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