Published in the Longboat Observer
Arts & Entertainment
Thursday, March 20, 2003

For Those Who Think Jung

Artist and Longboat Key resident Serge Polakoff considers himself a contemporary symbolist artist. He sees an intimate connection between the artistic expression of universal, archetypal symbols and man's search for peace.

As he puts it, “When I hear messages of peace, it touches my heart and motivates my compassion. When I hear messages of war, it touches my head and motivates my self-protection. I don't want to have to choose between heart and head. It's a sign that we live in such a divided society that it's presented that way.”

“Freud called dreams the ‘royal road to the unconscious.’ Jung went on to show that dreams were a road to the collective unconscious. Some dreams have personal messages; some are beyond ourselves — like the universal dream of peace. At this moment in history, peace is only a dream in the mind of humanity. But if enough artists put that message in their art and enough people get that message, that dream can become real.”

Art Center Sarasota's current “A Soul's Quest” exhibit features 70 new pieces by Polakoff through April 12; many of these were created for an upcoming book by the artist to be published this fall. Polakoff will also be holding a “World of Symbols” workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 12. This event is free and open to the public. For details, call 365-2032.