DSU Arts Center/Gallery Hosts Terry Dixon Mixed Media Exhibition

10/3/13

Delaware State University is currently featuring an exhibition by a Chicago-based artist, “Mixed Media of Terry Dixon,” from Sept. 23 to Nov. 1 in its Arts Center/Gallery in the William C. Jason Library on campus.

The work "Staring Off" is included in the 15-piece exhibition.

 

The exhibition is free and open to the public, including the Meet the Artist reception from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17.

 

Mr. Dixon has been featured on the front cover of the  International Review of African American Art Magazine (2009) and was recommended to art collectors as an artist to pay attention to in BusinessWeek magazine in the May 2005 article “Photography’s Golden Age.”

 

Mr. Dixon, a native of Washington, D.C., is noted for juxtaposing photographic images with his abstract paintings. Throughout his body of work, he explores kinetic connections with his abstract line style.  His painting style is sometimes aggressive and sporadic and then slows down to a smooth sense of control.  His imagery reflects a heavy influence of African art and abstract expressionism, and this is all fueled by his love for jazz and electronic music.

 

Some of his work explores different parts of the human face and body, abstracted in various ways that pull the viewer deeper into his creations.

 

Mr. Dixon notes that over the years, he enhanced his techniques on canvas by combining his photographic images with acrylic paint, oil pastels, and ink. He said in experimenting with digital technology, he has found an interesting marriage between traditional studio techniques and digital media.

 

“My art is also influenced by political issues, society, various free-flowing ideas, and one other back bone element of my art is fueled from the "Free Jazz Style" prevalent in the 1950s to the 1970s,” Mr. Dixon said. “As I listen to deep bass cords, drum beats, and harsh trumpet notes, I explore my intuitive approach and express my artistic style through rhythm of sound. 

 

“As I create my art, some parts become mistakes that turn into masterpieces and it is all in conjunction and influenced by jazz music,” he added.

 

Mr. Dixon began exhibiting in 1991 while living in Atlanta, and he has been exhibiting his work nationally and internationally since 2000.  He landed on the art scene in Chicago at BAREWALLS 2000, a live art exhibition coordinated by the School of The Art Institute of Chicago. He has been in various solo and group exhibitions, and he has been busy working on projects for various solo exhibitions.  His works are owned by private collectors in the United States, Europe and are part of the very prestigious Sandor Collection in Chicago.

 

In addition to being on campus for his reception, during Oct. 16-19 he will also share his artistic process and skills with students and faculty in various classes in the DSU Department of Art.

 

“Opportunities for engagement with a visiting artist are an extraordinary learning experiences for our students,” notes Jennifer Gunther, DSU Arts Center/Gallery director.  “Mr. Dixon focuses on pushing traditional mediums in new media directions.  An opportunity to understand this artist’s process will be a rewarding experience for our students.”

 

En route to receiving his Bachelor of Fine Art from the Atlanta College of Art in 1992, Mr. Dixon composed new art perspectives by employing various visual art techniques through painting, photography, computer art, video and electronic music.  In 1995 he earned a Master of Fine Art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.