Dune Patten
Houston, TX
Artist's Website
Artist's Statement:
When I was little boy I always fantasized about doing something great and being famous; to make a mark. My mother understood my talent at a very early age [at age of two (2) when I completed my first drawing- she later titled, The Karate Chicken. And as I grew older I realized that, spiritually, I am famous- everybody knows me in heaven?.YO! This new style, URBAN EXPRESSIONISM- copyright 2002 allows me to be spontaneous and playful, and also serious, with my work; it?s like being in recess but knowing exactly what you want to do while in recess. All that is required is to accept it and take hold of it. These ideas and words would come to me- as many words do- in thought particles that were floating in my space. In the feverish play of words where I exist, my mind opened up to receive these particles of thought. As they came to me I play with them, change them, wondering if they are actual words, signs, and symbols- normally I would not care since my process is that of 'anacoluthon'; which means, an abrupt change within a sentence structure to a 2nd grammatical degree that is inconsistent with the first [but, yet, somehow references the 1st degree]. Some are real, but most are not; which I possess and store into my own language library. Then, I let my connection with the Spirit flow through the work; as I am not interested in preaching with my work, or even to intellectualize my work. The result is both rhythmically and spiritually flowing in nature. The approach to the work and the results are rhythmically disjointed like jazz notes; to make the flow resonate into your soul. Spiritually speaking, the work is not only Modern and Contemporary in aesthetics- which is only scratching the surface deep; but also the context of the work is from Christian concepts, symbolism, and sensibility. Although, my affinities are rooted in the Classical and Traditional aspects of art, the appeal of the Modern and Contemporary has been fused into it to make the rythmical and the spiritual more pronounced; like an adverb- Proverb. Things are etched or scratched out to invoke feeling of intuitive knowing and investigation. There is purity and truth that solely lay within the traditions and classics; but it can also be expressed within the Modern; the Contemporary. So, I endeavor to show this purity and truth in this era- my time. I believe that my time is now. You have to believe that in order to be a viable entity one must become like Abraham who wandered and followed his own path in faith that he was destined for something better. And in doing so, God was with him. My work is not to glorify the self, but to glorify the Spirit. There are things that have randomly happened in my paintings that I believe are manifestations of truth and life of the Spirit. I find that the more I let go of myself and trust what is coming out of the work, the more glorious the work becomes. This is why I continue to create; in hopes of being used as an instrument.
Artist's Bio:
Patten?s URBAN EXPRESSIONISM-copyright 2002 style although definitely abstract and modern is anything but vague. There is no denying the message of his work: maybe art is pretension and a sham but the artist is not a sham. It is a sentiment that one can readily believe in when faced with the true nature of a disposable, consumer society...And yet Patten strives to confront the viewer with what is real to him, his belief in God, his opinion of how the exploitation of sex, and politics. His style although very similar to Basquiat?s is truly his own..."
- Tomas Sustaita, freelance writer, poet, and critic.**
COMMENTARY ON THE ARTIST:
Grand Prize Award Winner of the 2005 MFAH/5-A 9th ANNUALL CITYWIDE EMERGING AFRICAN-AMERICAN] ARTISTS EXHIBITION- and Nominee for Houston Chronicle?s ULTIMATE HOUSTON poll for BEST ARTIST, Houston-based, although world-focused, artist Dune Patten is largely a self taught artist; and is always in search and support for artistic development. Dune says, "...that in order to be a viable entity one must become like Abraham who wandered and followed his own path in faith that he was destined for something better. And in doing so, God was with him." Dune Patten has shown and continues to show his works in group and individual exhibitions around the Houston area and nationally. His frequented independent venues, as well as numerous galleries such as: Lawndale Art Center, Project Row Houses, Inman Gallery, The Jones Center for Contemporary Art, The Museum of Fine Arts Austin, Commerce Street Artists' Warehouse, and Midtown Art Center- with recent commissions and acquisitions of his work by Washington Mutual Bank-Montrose of Houston, First Presbyterian Church-Museum District, and S.H.A.P.E. Community Center-Third Ward; and with future showing in Galveston and New York. Dune's exhibitions have been reviewed in various publications such as the Houston's Other, ARTSHouston Magazine, The Third Eye, Inc., and PaperCity Magazine. In addition, his work has found their way into private collections internationally. Through his efforts and accomplishments, emerging artist Dune Patten efficaciously shows the difference between being a striving artist and a starving artist; he is surely a striving artist. Please join as we experience this exciting artist! - Genuine Van Akin, poet and writer, The Third Eye, Inc **
