Sandra Dawson

Artist Statement

The circle

The images in my work evolve from an observation of our natural world, our social circles and our internal psyche. Archetypes, Icons and mythological figures share space with childlike scrawls, poetry and graphic images. Interwoven, these elements convey a multilayered content partnered on a scarred yet sensuous surface.
I paint, etch and draw both abstracted and figurative elements onto my panels. I combine techniques and materials which include: acrylic and oil paint, photographs, sheetrock, objects from nature, glass, gold and silver leaf. My work evolves spontaneously and intuitively.
My paintings suggest a belief in the interconnection between all living things. I envision my work to communicate the paradox, the beauty and the mystery of life in its many layered complexities as well as in its most humble simplicity. Taken for granted in the enormity of a fallen leaf, the transience of life, a moment in time.
My work explores the reflections of duality: the connection between the past and the present, the fluctuation and the balance of never ending cycles.

CV

Education

1989     B.F.A. University of Illinois Chicago, IL
1983     Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2009     Addington Gallery, Chicago, IL
2007     Byron Roche Gallery, Chicago, IL
2006     Byron Roche Gallery, Chicago, IL
2002     Byron Roche Gallery, Chicago, IL
2000     IDAO Gallery, Chicago, IL
1999     Augen Gallery, Portland, OR
1997     Gallery A, Chicago, IL
1996     Gallery A, Chicago, IL
1995     IDAO Gallery, Chicago, IL
1994     Gallery A, Chicago, IL
1993     Gallery A, Chicago, IL
1992     Urbus Orbis, Chicago, IL
Local Option, Chicago, IL
1991     Happy Delpech Gallery, Chicago, IL

Group EXHIBITIONS

2009     Addington Gallery, Chicago, IL
Elaine Erickson Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
Abraham Lincoln Exhibit, The Cliff Dwellers, Chicago, IL
Blue 8+2, Chicago, IL
Artrageous, Oak Park Main Library, Oak Park, IL
Elaine Erickson Gallery, Chicago, IL
2008     Natural Order Aliya Linstrum Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Byron Roche Gallery,Chicago, Il
Blue8t2 Group Show, Oak Park, Il
Abraham Lincoln Exhibit, Oak Park Library, Oak Park Il
2007     Small Wonders, Aliya Linstrum Gallery, Atlanta, GA
Elaine Erickson Gallery, Milwaukee WI
Byron Roche Gallery, Chicago, IL
2006     Aliya Linstrum Gallery, Atlanta, GA
River Breeze Gallery, Aurora IL
Elaine Erickson Gallery, Milwaukee WI
Student and Teacher Exhibition, Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, IL
Remembrance Show, Oak Park, IL
Putting it all Together, The Art of Collage, Hinsdale Arts Center, IL
2005     Absolute Vision Show, Byron Roche Gallery, Chicago, IL
Living Artists Show, Fine Arts Building, Chicago, IL
2004     Art Chicago at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
10-Year Anniversary Show, Byron Roche Gallery, Chicago, IL
2003     Art Chicago at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
The glory of Books, The Oak Park Public Library, IL
2003     Byron Roche Gallery, Chicago, IL
2002     Art Chicago at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Byron Roche Gallery, Chicago, IL
2001     Art Chicago at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Around the Coyote IDAO Gallery, Chicago, IL
2000     Bluer, Carrie Secrist Gallery, Chicago, IL
Art Chicago at Navy Pier, San Francisco International Art Expo, CA
Around the Coyote IDAO Gallery, Chicago, IL
1999     Art Chicago at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Around the Coyote IDAO Gallery, Chicago, IL
Gallery A, Chicago, IL
1998     Art Chicago at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
The Back Room Exhibit, Gallery A, Chicago, IL
Anne Reed Gallery, Sun Valley, ID
1997     Around the Coyote, IDAO Gallery, Chicago, IL
Art Chicago at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Seattle International Art Exposition, Seattle, WA
Those Who Do, Teach, Marwen Foundation Gallery, Chicago, IL
1996     Around the Coyote, IDAO Gallery, Chicago, IL
Visions of Family: The 13th annual Festival of the Arts, the Fourth

Presbyterian Church of Chicago, Chicago, IL
To Each Her Own, Gallery A, Chicago, IL
Olga Dollar Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1995     Poetic Images, Suburban Fine Arts Center, Highland Park, IL
IDAO Gallery, Chicago, IL
Pulp Fiction, Gallery A, Chicago, IL
1994     Transition II: A Look at Progress, Gallery A, Chicago, IL
IDAO Gallery, Chicago, IL
1993     IDAO Gallery, Chicago, IL
Around the Coyote Studio Walk, Chicago, IL
Salon D’Art, Chicago, IL
Gallery A, Chicago, IL
1992     World Tattoo Gallery, Chicago, IL
Gallery A, Chicago, IL
Woman the Creator, IDAO, Chicago, IL
Layaway Show, Flatiron Building, Chicago, IL
Around the Coyote Studio Walk, Chicago, IL
China Club, Chicago, IL
Sexual Politics, Three-two-One Gallery, Chicago, IL
1991     Happy Delpech Gallery, Chicago IL
The Foreign Policy Show, Near Northwest Arts Council, Chicago, IL
Around the Coyote Studio Walk, Chicago, IL
Decade Opener, Urbus Orbis Gallery, Chicago, IL
1989     Dreams, NNWAC, Chicago, IL
Open Walls Exhibit, Gallery 1633, Chicago, IL
Landfall Press Gallery, Chicago, IL
Art Expo, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Martyrs, Northside CafE Chicago, IL

Art Auctions and Donations

2009     Hephzibah, Chicago, IL
Heartland Alliance, Chicago, IL
2002     Horizons for Youth, Chicago, IL
2000     Horizons for Youth, Chicago, IL
1995     Art Against Aids, sponsored by Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
1994     Art Against Aids, Chicago, IL
1993     Art Against Aids, Chicago, IL
Target Choice, sponsored by Personal PAC, Chicago IL
1992     Art Against Aids, Chicago, IL
Target Choice, Chicago, IL
N.A.M.E. Gallery, Chicago, IL
Happy Delpech Gallery, Chicago, IL
1991     N.A.M.E. Gallery, Chicago, IL
Happy Delpech Gallery, Chicago, IL

Awards and Grants

1994     Community Arts Assistant Program Grant, Chicago, IL
1992     Recognition Award, Around the Coyote, Chicago, IL
1991     Artwork Juried Selected for Around the Coyote Logo and Design
1989     Faculty Award presented at graduation, University of Illinois at Chicago,
Chicago, IL