John Dawson captures essence instead of physicality in “Dawson: Thirty Years” at Mesa Contemporary Arts

Comments (0) By Lilia Menconi Thursday, May 29 2008

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Courtesy of Mesa Contemporary Arts

Ingres Puzzle by John Dawson

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Mesa Contemporary Arts

1 E. Main St.
Mesa, AZ 85211

Category: Galleries

Region: Mesa

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"Dawson: Thirty Years" runs through August 3. Admission $3.50 for adults, free for children ages 7 and under. Call 480-644-6501 or visit »web link.

Mesa Contemporary Arts, 1 East Main Street

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The painting is a puzzle in itself — it's tough to know exactly what Dawson is going for. Dawson and Ingres both work with portraiture. But while Ingres is painstakingly committed to physical accuracy, Dawson focuses on the action of painting. His brushstrokes emote energy and movement. Ingres' painting is about the sitter while Dawson's work is about the artist. I wonder: Is it what Dawson imagines Ingres might have painted had he the choice? Is it Dawson's insight into the mind of an artist alive during a time of stricter painting principles? It's a complex and compelling piece with a lot of guesswork.

Though my thoughts were certainly provoked by the depth of these pieces, it was work like Martha that stood out. When Dawson cuts the chaos and focuses on one simple figure, he's most effective. It's like a karate chop to your consciousness that will leave you mesmerized.