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2009 Artist Residency

Terry Dixon

During the middle part of 2008, artist Terry Dixon started on a complex journey of researching the re-enslavement of African Americans in the United States, from the Civil War to World War 2 and he has come across an enormous amount of information and images, which have sparked a new direction in his body of work.  In his six new pieces, based on the topic of re-enslavement you can easily recognize his signature mixed media style, and bold colors.  Dixon explores more in the use of text, raw materials and high contrast abstracted photography, juxtaposed with acrylic inks, pencil and metal.

In February, 2010 Terry Dixon will be exhibiting his work at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington DC, and will be giving a lecture on his work that focuses on segregation and the topic of re-enslavement among African Americans in late 1800’s to the early 1900’s.  

In conjunction with Terry Dixon’s art exhibition and lecture, author Douglas A. Blackmon (Pulitzer Prize) winner of the book “Slavery by Another Name” will also join him in discussing his book that relates to Dixon’s current subject matter in his artwork.

It has been a new, yet energizing experience for me to serve as the juror for the first annual Union Street residency. In contrast to jurying an exhibition, an application for residency is essentially a promissory note based on past work and future potential. It can be like gazing into a crystal ball, trying to see what will be.

I was highly impressed with the range of applicants, the strength of their work, and the diversity of their ideas and motivations. I want to thank all the applicants and give them encouragement for the future. It was a struggle to pick only one artist for the residency. Yet in my review of the applicants, I kept returning to the work of Terry Dixon.

I found Mr. Dixon’s work to be a well considered balance between the visual and the concept. His combinations of painting, drawing, hand written text, and photo-collage are sensitive yet powerful commentaries on race and culture in America. The linear drawing and painting elements keep the viewer involved within the picture plane-engaging the eye and drawing the viewer in. I was especially intrigued with his ideas of social commentary as they relate specifically to the residency and to the broader perspective of a man of color. He intends to use the gallery space as the location for a visual and cultural dialogue to take place with arts patrons and the community at large. His proposal speaks to the mission of the gallery as well - to engage and educate the citizens of Chicago. I look forward to seeing the fulfillment of Mr. Dixon’s residency proposal.

It has been an honor to serve as juror for the first annual Artist Studio Residency at the Union Street Gallery. I want to thank Renee Klyczek Nordstrom and John Gutierrez for providing me with the opportunity.

Howard Paine, Associate Professor

Director of MFA Programs, Memphis College of Art

To view complete resume click here