DM  Iarusso         Portraits        Fine Art        Ceramics

My artwork examines social behaviors by pointing to the possibilities of change. My roots in art lean towards traditionalism which motivates me  to reach the audience through conceptual clarity and intent. While applying technical use of optical deception, as the Surrealists often did, I draw in the viewer by creating a composition that invites them to search out the hidden images; sometimes barely visible, sometimes in negative space and then to explore the allegorical elements.  As a narrative artist,  I enjoy having conversations with those who come to my exhibitions asking questions and delivering comments.  I aim to decipher the thrust of our modern society by concentrating not only on atmosphere and sentiment but reinterpret the ironies, eccentricities, insincerities or trends that are developing around us.  Historically artists have given us the emotions and experiences of their era, whether they illustrated religious passion or its suffocation, romantic sentiment or the agony of war.  Whether they protested against a materialistic or combatant society or brought us the contentment of a more tranquil time, a dialog and deep felt experience in fine art has been available for the viewer.  In the past, the events that moved the times, can be extracted and experienced through art giving us the focal point into the events that made or changed the world of each artist’s life. I firmly believe that as artists it is our obligation to stimulate the audience emotionally.  Something, be it a past memory, a sentiment or premise, should be presented which would stimulate thinking or an emotional process for the viewer.  Shouldn’t this be what fine art is truly about, to articulate the dialog of our times? And if the audience walks away thinking about the dialog presented, should this not bring the utmost joy to the artist?