Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Mystic Effigies

Donna Dodson: Mystic Effigies
Show Dates: March 1-April 3
Opening Reception: March 1, 2013 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM  Artist Talk at 6pm


Leich Lathrop Gallery

Plazuela Sombra, 323 Romero St NW, Suite 1
Albuquerque, NM 87104
http://leichlathropgallery.blogspot.com/

Mama Duck, 18" tall, mulberry wood & paint, 2013

Dodson’s totemic animal goddess sculptures result from the methodical decisions and actions she makes wielding chainsaw and chisel to shape the wood, while interacting with its grain to create her forms in a fluid fashion. Her spontaneous prints, watercolors and drawings allow viewers a unique glimpse into her sculptural process. This series of abstracted animal figures reveals her process of using two-dimensional works to explore various possibilities of form and color normally restricted by sculptural materials. In other words, the same lines that define her sculptures, appear in her drawings and prints. Yet, there is a contrasting sensibility between the two and three dimensional renderings of her animal headed female figures. The experimental nature of Dodson’s two dimensional works represents uncharted paths that expand the possibilities of her sculptures.


Blue Headed Duck, 12" x 16" framed, watercolor 2012

‘My artwork celebrates the mystical relationship between human beings and the animal kingdom. Because there were no icons of women in the church that I grew up in, my vision is to create them. Through hybrid female-animal forms that I sculpt in wood, I flesh out sensuality, sexuality and soul with a well-proportioned figurative vocabulary. The natural grain of the wood interacts with the form and shape of my sculptures in a descriptive way, suggesting nostrils, and nipples or garments and fabric textures. I often stylize each piece to enhance the girl, woman, princess, queen or goddess within. The mouths, or in some cases beaks, are closed symbolizing the mysteries they embody. These figures are sculpted in sizes ranging from one to four feet tall. I use color in both subtle and bold ways to activate each piece. My inspiration comes from Egyptian, Native American and Indian art’



Donna Dodson graduated from Wellesley College in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts. Since 2000, she has been honored with solo shows nationwide for her artwork. Dodson enjoys public speaking, and has been a guest speaker at conferences and panels in museums and universities throughout North America. Donna regularly contributes articles to the Boston Globe’s Global Business Hub blog that demonstrate the economic impact and global reach of the arts sector. In 2011 she participated in the Verbier 3D Foundation's Artist Residency and Sculpture Park in the Swiss Alps where she created monumental outdoor sculpture. In 2012, she exhibited at the Fountain Art Fair NYC in the historic 69th Regiment Armory Building. In 2013, she will be returning to Europe, to exhibit her artwork in the Netherlands.