The Myth of Kostas Seremetis is real.

It resides within an industrial loft where various hangings of white tapestry adorn one wall, while large wooden canvas of half-done paintings rest on the other. On a wide table occupies an army of Phase02 hulks while two large slabs of wood connect to house large plasma screens and three powerful G4s where graphic applications are worked on constantly…

"Uh, actually no hulks on display,” Kostas casually interjects, “and just two G4s"…

Well known for his infamous re-tooling of comic heroes (ie. Superman, Batman, The Incredible Hulk, etc), his re-appropriation of such Americana comic character iconography allows one to approach these individuals in novel ways. Kostas replicates these characters so well in fact he seems to pay homage to the creators of these comic figures, and yet at the same time he seems to shed some sort of underlying commentary of how these characters are registered within the context of street art vs. pop art. Yet make no doubt that Kostas is an artist in all mediums, his work being influenced from fashion to punk rock to, as Kostas puts it, “open seditionaries.” His work is avidly sought from a handful of collectors, comprising of private/corporate and celebrity sectors.

In regards to art in general, Kostas admits he is very much a purveyor as well as producer, collecting a handful of artwork and a treasured Keith Haring piece. An upcoming project finds Kostas behind the camera directing a music video for 20 Miles (helmed by Judah Bauer of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion fame).

This is Kostas. Enjoy.
----

EM: Tell us about your childhood.

KS: Born in Boston, Massachusetts raised by Spartans. MY FATHER the auto body repair man. I was kind of raised in an Auto Body Shop called Glenville Auto Body in Allston Mass. I was bondo-ing cars at age 11 and worked my way to the spray booth. The cool thing about that job was that it was around the corner from New England Comics. So I would work and buy comics hang out and draw. Next question

EM: Did your dad approve of you buying and drawing comics?

KS: No way. My pops is old school Zorba the Greek mentality. And I love him for that. He was a first generation Greek-American, born in Krokeia Greece, Spartan roots...the same village as Nassos Daphnis. I met him four years ago at his studio, a true painter and an amazing artist.

EM: Was he source of inspiration throughout your years?

KS: No, not at all but there is mutual respect, he is a master Jedi.

EM: What other artists come into mind that you look up to. And following what artists would you consider doing collaborative work?

KS: Julian Schnabel is amazing, Pollock has always caught my eye I would love to see a Pollock exhibition where the paintings are laid flat on the floor as created, Basquiat makes me weep, and I’m a big sucker for Jaime Reids’ Sex Pistols work. Collaborations…I would love to work with Vivienne Westwood.



Next Page >>