Artist in residence  -  Sophie K. Sardi

BEGINNING - AUGUST   2007

This month begins a new series of works very much inspired by a collection of old photographic portraits, not dissimilar to those photographs of
the acclaimed actress - Eleonora Duse (used for the first series of works). The photographs I have selected, have a strong sense of spirit – and to my amazement
are people who are once again involved in the arts…but of another time and place…. Photographs of writers, artists, photographers, actors, poets, dancers, 
have all become the focus of this new series….There are other persons of renown as well as a selection of anonymous portraits ...The photographs, mostly black and white,
taken by gifted photographers of the past – such as :  Muray Nickolas and Arnold Genthe…

It is my intention to convey something of the spirit of those photographed...There is a boldness to many and an openness  I seek to replicate
in my drawings.   It is not necessarily my aim to evoke a likeness….but more rather to  bring  to the fore a semblance of what they may be feeling within…
I hope that you enjoy the next series and become enticed and bewitched by what you see….The human psyche, soul, spirit….
whatever you may call it …is certainly a mystery to me and never ceases to surprise me with it’s depth of being. It is my interpretation of these images which
is sometimes the most surprising….Imbued with a sense of melancholy that seems to be inherent in many of my works…The role of the artist. ..to interpret…translate…
gaze upon…. bring to the fore all that he or she sees….such a personal thing and somewhat intangible……

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------