By Dianne Bowen

"I'm a Greek from NY”, she will proudly tell you, "I'm a painter." You can find her in Agni gallery at 170 East 2nd Street the majority of time, painting, contemplating, and chatting with curious by passers or deep in intellectual conversation regarding the universe, humanity, social responsibility, love, collective awareness or a myriad of other topics. A bold generous laugh and eyes that can cut you to the quick, she has the unique capacity to question a stranger on the most intimate of subjects gaining access to the "real flesh” of their soul. This powerful depth is at the core of her work. The raw truth of it and the fearless nature of her process.

She works primarily on a large scale using raw bright colored pigments, stones, metallic leafs, and phosphorus paints on linen and canvas. Bold abstract forms of color, contemplative dripping and pooling are all a strangely highly controlled randomness in nature, which create patterns of movement within the forces of nature. Phosphorus paints create a literal second dimensional life representing the spirit, a transcendence of the work when seen in black light. Underlying concerns addressing issues of our humanity, social responsibility and our existence in the universe converse in text, color and form on the canvas. In some cases they may smack you in the face while lovingly soothing the sting as if to say, “do you understand now?”

The raw emotions vibrate through the work leaving you to contemplate their affect. Zotis's piece titled, Basic Necessities, is a perfect example. She writes her thoughts clearly on the canvas going over the text with layers of intensely colored pigments, spray paint and metallic flakes. The word SAFE in large letters is written across the center surrounded by concepts regarding the word. The equation infinity =the square root of I M=completion, brings you deeper into the contemplative intellectual process. "This equation is very important to understand for a happier life. Safe, what is safe, who is safe, how do you feel safe, safe can't be guaranteed, it is an idealogy, uncontrollable and unpredictable." Agni states. The text exists as both words and visual vibrations reacting in their environment.

Agni Zotis’ work stole the show, “Sacred Ways” a group exhibition that opened June7th, 2007 at Tria Gallery at 547 W. 27th Street, NYC. On view are 3 pieces from her work, - The Mediators I, The Mediators II and The Headless Pig. What I consider to be one of her major works, The Headless Pig, was the highlight. Using repetitive forms, concentrating in the atomic structure, bits of garnet, blue quartz, crystal and gold glitter, come from the beginning of existence. Bullet shaped rainbows, inner energy, repeat refracting light, capturing time with pure color in chalk pastel on the surface that can be wiped away as fragile as life itself. In the center Zotis draws a headless pig in which she paints a solid circle of gold pigment as the gift, suggesting the inner will. There is unity in her patterns. Symbolic underlying contemplations - resolutions solidify. The work reflects both her intellectual curious nature and her sense of humor. There is much more to be said, but I’d hate to give it away…see it for yourself.