Mark Dickson
MARK DICKSON
“I am consumed with the process of sculpting: the physical act of creating by the deconstruction and reconstruction of ideas. To me it is the struggle to reassign beauty, power and meaning to both found and raw materials and allowing these forms to exist free of the constraints of the expected norm.
Of the endless variety of media in the world, metals are my love, for their possibilities are endless. Heated, forged, cast or welded; though the metal is cold and hard, with the proper persuasion it becomes warm and alive. For me, it’s the entanglement, the heat, sweat, and smoke, the challenge of steel, and fire - 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”.
When one views Mark Dickson’s sculptures, one becomes instantly aware of his love for metal of all types. He is constantly experimenting with different combinations and finishes. Welding, forging, and casting are the primary processes he uses in his work, but he is ever exploring and pushing the boundaries of the medium. Mark draws on knowledge acquired from independent studies at Sierra College in Rockland, CA., Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL., and varied apprenticeships in metal design, fabrication, casting, foundry methods, and blacksmithing.
Marks’ work is collected throughout the Southeast in public and private collections. His fluid large-scale pieces are appropriate for landscape architecture and open interiors. His smaller more detailed vessels display his passion for metal smithing and love of craftsmanship. Tight design, light abstraction, and the use of multiple metals, pigments and patinas bring to life these beautiful sculptures. They appear as modern, but at the same time represent as artifacts from the distant past; something the artist refers as “ancient futurism”. His sculpture compliments the modern style, for areas ranging from compact to expansive.
Born in the San Francisco Bay area and raised in the foothills of northern California. Mark traveled the United States, before eventually making his home with his wife in Tallahassee Florida where they have lived for the past 19 years. He maintains a working sculpture studio in Tallahassee’s Rail Road Square Arts district.
