Peter Demetz is an astonishing hand-chiseled work of an Italian genius who brings life to plain timber. These amazing sculptures show men, women, and children frozen in time against an ornate, often colored backdrop. They range in height from a modest 20 inches to an intimidating 50 inches. Demetz’s attention to detail is very captivating; he expertly sculpts minute creases in clothes, wayward hair strands, and an actual human form that makes you wonder if the figures are real.
In addition to his astounding accuracy, Demetz’s creativity stimulates our intellectual curiosity. Frequently, the figures are looking away from us and staring at the ground. We see their thoughtful stop at these times of reflection, which is similar to the moments right before giving a speech or walking into a room. Demetz’s works of art therefore have a particular poignancy. The body language that was observed conveys a sense of loss, longing, or a fleeting moment in time without being overly depressing.
