CH.89: If you were to categorize or describe the style of your artwork, what would it be and why?

SD: I dare say that my work is surreal. Symbolizations, implications, and disguised up drawings of memories, dominate. I have been affected by hyper-realism and the Dada movement. Lately I have been experimenting with mix-media techniques.

CH.89: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

SD: It might sound harsh, but my inspiration comes from un-satisfaction. From love. From small, apparently indifferent details which will turn into the whole universe of the artist if you isolate each of them…From every barely noticeable thing. Taste, sound, feeling, crash and crumble of everyday people. From memories.

CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about what your creative thought process is like when starting a new project/ piece of artwork?

SD: Most of the time, I already see the project in front of my eyes before even starting to plan it. Like a vision. I almost always write down the possible take, because my ideas are elusive and I sometimes forget them. From that moment on, I stage the pictures inside my head for months. It’s a creative procedure, it demands theatrical skills, even the search and purchase of objects which are necessary for the creation of the scenery.

CH.89: Is there anything in particular that you would want people to take from your artwork?

SD: Like I usually say, art doesn’t give you answers, it creates questions. What I definitely want, is to make the spectator wonder or even dare I say, stir-up their feelings, even the most annoying ones, followed by trying to pull thin and sensitive strings inside the psyche of the spectator while showing ideas and past experiences, which is what I desire.

CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about your lifestyle as an artist and what that is like?

SD: Someone who is creative or likes to create doesn’t need much to be happy. He is self sufficient through his art. The truth is that I hate noise and I never really liked living in a big city which would always turn out being neither useful nor productive for me. An artist is nothing more than a lonely wolf!

CH.89: When starting out an artistic task, do you think it is better to have a particular direction/set plan guiding your way? Or, is it better to act on impulse and go from there?

SD: I think the combination of both is the ideal. You work as planned but at the same time don’t reject the impulsiveness of the moment, or your playfulness. There must be a golden mean of coexistence between the both.

CH.89: What is one major lesson you’ve learned as an artist thus far?

SD: Being involved with art and specifically with photography taught me that patience is gold!!! It changed my relationship with time. A project has to reach maturity, which demands time. It’s the outcome of gathering, deep thinking and experimenting.

CH.89: Do you regard personal style & taste to be of highest importance?

SD: Even if I don’t believe in parthenogenesis, the personal style and point of view may I add, is what makes you recognizable. It is very important for your work to have an identity. Nevertheless I also consider it a great deal to not stay static. You should shape and reshape your ideas into something new, while the structure remains the same. We shouldn’t be afraid of failing, it’s part of our evolution as artists and as human beings.

CH.89: What do you consider to be the hardest thing about being an artist?

SD: The cruel realization, that art, doesn’t feed you, you feed art. For most artists financial survival through art is something rather rare. Sometimes trying to communicate through your work to reach at the spectator isn’t enough. Under no circumstances should an artist feel guilty for wanting to survive through his creations, his art or should he be accused of lacking authenticity.

CH.89: What is one thing you love about being an artist?

SD: The fact that it gives me the possibility to be 100% myself. I want to believe that I am honest to the spectator and to my work.

CH.89: Is there anyone in particular, any artist’s that inspire you in any way?

SD: Francesca Woodman and her multidimensional work. Dora Maar’s surrealism, Claudia Cahum’s established identity and gender issues, Nan Goldin’s anthropocentric and violent romanticism affected my worK.

CH.89: What do you think of technology in terms of being a useful tool for artists today?

SD: Besides giving us the ability to use retouching programs that serve as a digital dark room, technology also offers many abilities. You can contact and connect with people through your work on a worldwide level. I think it gives you many opportunities to learn something new if you take advantage of it.

CH.89: Do you think being an artist allows you to view the world differently from those who don’t follow creative paths?

SD: Of course it does. The senses of an artist are sharp and alert. His point of view goes beyond the obvious very often. Reality is fluid and in dispute under the artists prism. Creativity is powerful revolution.

CH.89: Do you enjoy traveling? If so, do you have a favorite city?

SD: I love traveling and I m looking forward to travel again soon. Even if I usually say that my favorite trip is the next one, as of today my favorite one was my trip to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a city that radiates a creative breeze of total freedom with a humane and very friendly face.

CH.89: Do you have a favorite author or book?

SD: Lately, I read the work of Fotis Kagkelaris titled “Wedding photography” which mainly talks about the existential agony which we try to banish through capturing that specific event. I think I can call it one of my favorites now!

CH.89: Any future goals or plans for your artwork?

SD: There are many plans which are actually on ice right now due to the Covid pandemic and the lockdown. I’m awaiting the materialization of a group exhibition by women photographers which is titled “UnderNegotation”.

CH.89: What does being an artist mean to you?

SD: An artist is someone who has the ability to rebuild and reform, with simple materials, reality and memory (personal and collective) into a piece of art.

CH.89: What’s the last song you listened to?

SD: Capricho Arabe by Andres Segovia

CH.89: Any last words on the aesthetic of your artwork?

SD: Actually what I’m trying to do is to give shape to the chaos inside of me and to open a window into the Abyss, even if it is fictional!