Dimitri Hadzi: Historical Echos

This show has been extended and will close July 30. A reception will take place July 14 for the River North Art Walk

Dimitri Hadzi (1921-2006) is among the most distinguished sculptors of the 20th century. He is the last American modernist. His work is characterized by its unique ability to merge themes and traditions from ancient Hellenic culture–language and attitudes, mythology and theater–with 20th century tenets of Modernism, Surrealism, and Expressionism. While Hadzi's work presents itself in formalist terms, it always remains rooted in meaning drawn from his Greek heritage.

"Dimitri Hadzi's sculptures have the deeply satisfactory, self-sufficiency of all finished work. They do the paradoxical things which the best sculptural forms do...I value Dimitri's oeuvre because of its nice combination of confidence and impersonality, muscle and nimbleness, historical echo and original forthrightness, its excellence on the largest and smallest scales. I value it because I know from looking at it and from observing its maker that it springs from a proverbial need which acts as a kind of sweet torment until it finds its release and equivalent in the silent adequacy of the sculptures themselves."

Image: ELMO II, 1959, Bronze, ed. IV. 30 x 24 x 21 inches