Stephen Bezas

Artist Statement

In my latest exhibition, "Dead On," I invite viewers to immerse themselves in a symphony of language and imagery, where each painting serves as a portal to a multitude of emotions, ideas, and experiences.

My art defies categorization, by blending elements of conceptualism, abstraction, and contemporary aesthetics. At the heart of my work lies a profound exploration of the power of language and its ability to evoke complex narratives within the confines of a single word or phrase.

 In this series of works, each canvas is adorned with enigmatic titles such as "if," "whew," "silent sunrise," and "hanky panky." These seemingly ordinary words take on a life of their own, infused with layers of meaning and ambiguity that challenge conventional modes of communication.

In "if," the viewer is confronted with the uncertainty and possibility inherent in the conditional, while "whew" captures a moment of relief or release, becoming a canvas of emotional catharsis. “Silent sunrise" evokes a sense of tranquility and introspection, suggesting the peace and renewal found in the quiet beauty of daybreak. Meanwhile, "hanky panky" teases with playful innuendo, inviting viewers to unravel its cheeky connotations.

I tap into the cultural and emotional weight words carry, exploring how language shapes our understanding of the world. By elevating words to the status of visual icons, I prompt the viewer to consider their power, beauty, and vulnerability. These works are not just an artistic endeavor but a philosophical inquiry into the essence of communication and connection.

It's a testament to the boundless potential of language to transcend its limitations and connect us to the ineffable aspects of human experience. Through my paintings I challenge us to reconsider the ways in which we perceive and interact with the world around us, inviting us to discover beauty, meaning, and wonder in the simplest of words.


Biography

BEZAS, STEPHEN (ARS)

(American - b. 1949)

Born and raised in New York City. He attended the High School of Art and Design and then the School of Visual Arts where he greatly admired and was influenced by artist Chuck Close, first as a student of Close’s and later as a friend. Bezas has had a career as a painter, photographer, and designer. 

A neo-pointillist, Bezas has also been inspired by historically important pointillist artists such as Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. Bezas’ distinctive trademark is the vertical and horizontal stacks of dots contained within a grid, which he sometimes places on a diagonal. Another distinct narrative of his art is the alternating dot pattern achieved by the smaller grids within larger ones and the two alternating dot sizes. He has created a contemporary hybrid using his design sensibilities, photography and painting talents, blurring the lines among the three. The dots in his art interrelate and culminate into something that’s larger than the sum of its parts.

The viewer is utterly transfixed to realize that the work is created from a mélange of meticulously placed dots of varying sizes into an underlying grid in an artistic, mathematical process, whereby the actual composition comes alive with exciting recognition.

Bezas’ keen eye and sense of imagery would prove him to be fruitful neo-pointillist artist in his own right. The nuances of his imagination and portrayals of myriad aspects of the human form and objects allows him to create fascinating collections such as Nudes, Americana, Flora, Urban Themes and more.

Bezas sees himself as a contemporary artist rooted by his early pointillism and grids. He jokes about how his art has been influenced navigating the street grids of Manhattan to the grids of his designs.