Complete Each Other: Low Vision Artist Bolstered by iPad – by Zara Katz
Fotis Flevotomos, a Greek artist living in New York, struggles to draw portraits due to a visual impairment that causes low vision. With the help of a new tool, the iPad, and the inspiration of the city, he is excited to push the boundaries that formerly limited him in his art making.
When you are in love for example you have very powerful experiences. And this is what an artist needs in order to draw something that is powerful.
You need a powerful source in order to have a powerful outcome. So, the relationships that I have with other ppl influence my work. It is the starting point that will lead me to more interesting results.
I was born with a genetic condition that is called ocular albinism.
I’ve always wanted to draw people but it’s not so easy because I am quiet slow when I draw. I have to be really close so it’s a relationship that has certain requirements and for me it’s been difficult to find models with whom I feel comfortable.
I discovered the drawing application that is made for the iPad.
I am able to enlarge my painting, my drawing. And that I can adjust the brightness of the screen.
This might sound not so exciting, but for someone with low vision, these two characteristics, are so so crucial for a confident drawing and a confident expression.
And it is now that I came to NYC that I started thinking about the possibility of finding a model and making portraits because of the variety of faces that I see around me.
I am not looking for a particular type of persons. You have all these surprises. You cannot predict what is interesting for you. You take the subway and you see a face that you never knew it existed. It makes you feel excited that you want to draw this person.
I need art to express certain things, and I need have someone to love to express certain other thins. But they do not necessarily compete these two ways of expression. They just complete each other.
Fotis Flevotomos wants to draw portraits. This is difficult for him because he works very slowly due to a visual impairment. Fotis has ocular albinism that causes low vision and poor depth perception. He must be close to his subject, both physically and emotionally, in order to feel comfortable enough to take his time to explore them artistically.
Part of the Fulbright Greek Artists Program, Fotis is an artist-in-residence at The New York Public Library. In addition to producing a series of drawings during his residency, he is also working with curators and educators on the subject of low vision and the perception of art.
Recently, Fotis started using an iPad to make drawings. This new tool is helping him delve into his practice; the iPad allows him to enlarge his drawing and brighten the screen, two elements which are crucial for someone with low vision to feel confident in a drawing. In New York, Fotis feels inspired by the diversity of faces around him. Self-assured through the use of the iPad, Fotis is excited to push the boundaries that formerly limited him in his art making. It is here in the city, that he has begun to explore making portraits.
