Much of Robert Dawson’s production is informed by ceramic processes and the history of ceramic ornamentation, as well as by modernist painting. Robert reacts to historic decorative art motifs by re-working them, and then re-presenting them in ways for which they were not initially intended. For instance, he might make an existing chinoiserie design blur into a minimalist mist, forcing the viewer to make an assumption about the missing elements. “The ideas underlying my work are very simple,” he says. “I hope to make something that looks good, but for this to happen some kind of gentle violation of expectation is required.” With new perspectives and through visual games, Robert likes to introduce a feeling of uncertainty, reflecting upon the ambiguities with which we live.
Robert Dawson
