Stoughton, WI ARTIST STATEMENTMy sculptural work is often of human scale using recognizable imagery. The majority of my early work had some relation to labor history, labor and the changing nature of work as we know it. As the son of a Greek immigrant whose pursuit of the American dream was adversely affected by the McCarthy era of the 1950’s, these issues are of particular interest to me. Notions of class, identity and time seem to emerge as central concerns. Although these are some of the ideas that drive my work I still believe in the ideals of craftsmanship, humor and beauty. Recently, material reuse and salvage have become much more relevant to my work both technically and conceptually. The contrast between permanent and throwaway materials within an architectural context interests me, as do the land-use and class issues in and around suburbia. As technology grows more sophisticated and we continue to build in the spirit of civic improvement, I can’t help but wonder what we have lost or given up in the name of “progress”. BIOGRAPHYThe sculpture of Aris Georgiades is grounded in the ideals of craftsmanship, humor, and beauty. Working in wood, metal, and recycled materials, Georgiades’ work engages with issues from male identity, labor economics, to the changing American landscape in a post-industrial economy, highlighting the contrast between permanent and disposable materials within an architectural context. Georgiades received a BFA from the University of Michigan and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is a professor emeritus of Art/Sculpture at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has exhibited his works nationally and internationally and been included in publications including Art in America, Sculpture Magazine, and the Chicago Tribune.