SCAD MOA & Alexander Hall

Frederick Douglass & inspiring Marcus Dunn Review

My first impression of the SCAD experience outside of our painting class was the night we attended the Frederick Douglass Symposium to meet, hear and learn from Isaac Julien. My first impression was pure awe. We can gather in this thoughtful theatre space to be sitting among talented peers in a discussion with Isaac Julien, an accomplished artist. The entry way to the theatre is the exhibition of Marcus Dunn, who’s work is so beautiful that I could barely focus on entering the theatre and then layering on the discussion we just had in the theatre.

I needed to do a bit of research on Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) after the discussion, because my mind was also thinking about Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804) after recently seeing show with wonder of how close were their lives and did they overlap. The imagery Isaac Julien assembled for in the exhibit was interesting to me in the the calmness it gave. Using nature by itself, walking in nature and quiet moments riding through nature while Douglass was working on the tremendous tasks of the abolition. These images spoke to the elements of who Douglass was (intelligent, humble, brave, persistent) in order to carry out the actions of his being (orator, abolitionist, suffragist, leader, writer, reformer and statesman. Trees are intellegent, nature is humble with a quiet voice, brave to endure change with each season and persistent in its resilience as we tread, fight over and develop the land that continues to be part of human growth and tension. My favorite image is of the boots and overcoat of Douglass walking through the field that gives you a sense of the value in taking time to think before you speack or act. We need more of that in our culture today.

Marcus Dunn’s palette, abiltity to create sunfilled scenery and cast light on his figures is impressive. You can just tell by how the supportive tones of gray bring a richness and depth to his work. I was looking at his facebook and website and found this great example I will keep in my mind to consider with process. I love the sketchy, washy colors as beginning layers. Like printers print from light to dark, I like seeing the darks applied before the lights. Marcus Dunn’s palette, abiltity to create sunfilled scenery and cast light on his figures is impressive. You can just tell by how the supportive tones of gray bring a richness and depth to his work. I was looking at his facebook and website and found this great example I will keep in my mind to consider with process. I love the sketchy, washy colors as beginning layers. Like printers print from light to dark, I like seeing the darks applied before the lights and see how they are so helpful.