Bio
The arts have played a major role in my life since Samuel Dunson was quite young. He was born in Dayton, OH, and was very fortunate to grow up in a household where exposure to the arts was as important as academic study. He was part of an arts club in middle school but concentrated more on sports in high school. His venture into Fine Art began due to a chance meeting with an art professor at his alma mater, Tennessee State University. After a brief conversation, he encouraged Dunson to take a drawing course. That chance meeting changed his life for the better. Early in his academic and artistic pursuit, Dunson chose to concentrate on 3D works, but soon thereafter, he moved towards painting and drawing. Upon receiving a BS in Studio Art in 1992, he searched and found gallery representation in Nashville, TN, where he lived after college. For nearly six years, Dunson built a favorable exhibition record while working a regular nine to five job. In 1997, he made the decision to further his education by pursuing an MFA. In 1998, he and his wife moved to Hinesville, GA as he was accepted into the Savannah College of Art and Design under a Presidential Fellowship award. In 2000, Dunson received his MFA in painting and accepted an offer to teach at his undergraduate alma mater, Tennessee State University. He teaches painting, drawing, 3D design, and Art Appreciation. Dunson truly love teaching as it also allows him to continue creating and exhibiting his work in group and solo shows, all the while connecting with eager young creative minds.
Artist Statement
The only constant in life, is change, therefore life changes everything. This is the one concept that has remained true throughout my artistic journey. My work has a tendency to deal with accepting, then overcoming changes that occur throughout life. From my early years as an artist to present day, I strive to discern these changes through my paintings, sculptures, and videos. My work has become a coping mechanism that allows me to express my feelings and emotions within artistic means. Though my aim is to tell my own personal story, my work tends to be universal in its comprehension. I enjoy staying off the beaten path of specific visual representation. My creative works take on a somewhat complex and at times whimsical nature through its narration. I enjoy utilizing realism and stylization within the same work format. This mix allows me to deal with weighty concepts while allowing for a light-hearted approach. And as life continues to change, I allow my artistic approach to follow that same course.
www.samueldunson.com
@dunsonart
