ARTIST'S STATEMENT
I am consumed with the process of sculpting: the physical act of creating by the deconstruction and reconstruction of ideas. The struggle to reassign beauty, power and meaning to both found and raw materials. Allowing these forms to exist free of the constraints of the expected norm.
The entanglement, the blood, sweat and smoke, the challenge of steel, fire and heat. I call this the romance of construction, and thru this action I seek to challenge the familiar. It is my hope that the viewer will join me on this journey.
ARTIST'S BIOGRAPHY
Mark Dickson starts with concepts like form, negative space, and abstract suggestion. Then guided by themes like; music, flight, wind, water, machinery, and even personal guardians, he shapes freestanding or pedestal-mounted sculptures. He combines shapes to form a single piece of singular emotional influence. The result is a realization of the beauty of the abstract form.
Mark draws on knowledge acquired from independent studies in metal design, fabrication, casting, foundry methods, and blacksmithing. Three influences were; Professors Jim Devore of Sierra College in California, Charles Hook, the late Professor of Sculpture at Florida State University, and the late Master Craftsman Jerry Grice. Marks’ work is collected throughout the United States in public and private collections. His fluid large-scale pieces are appropriate for landscape architecture and opened interiors. His sense of tight design, light abstraction and use of negative space suit the modern style, for areas ranging from compact to expansive.
Dickson is a native of northern California and has been a resident of Tallahassee Florida for twelve years. He teaches sculpture part time as an adjunct instructor at North Florida Community College in Madison Florida, and is a full time sculptor with a working studio in Tallahassee.
