Dan Abrams

A couple of weeks ago I installed a William Burroughs exhibit at Stellan Holm gallery, and I worked with Dan Abrams, who is a teacher - like me, and is also an artist. We exchanged email, and sent each other some images of our work. Here is a sample of his work:

Where's the Bomb
oil on Canvas
24 x 18"
2009

Promised Land
Mixed media on paper
48 x 40"
2009

Outpost
Mixed media on paper
32 x 36
2008

Military State
Mixed media on paper
33 x 41"
2008

Self-portrait as Cyclops
oil on canvas
24 x 20"
2009

Dan told me he teaches a painting class in Rome, so a lot of this imagery is from his time in Italy. I recognise the ancient mystical obelisks (in the form of a missle) that the Romans used to take from sun bleached Egypt. The Romans used the obelisks as signs of having conquered that place, but maybe to also borrow something powerful that the Egyptians had figured out about Empire and society - interesting to see the ancient religious symbol/war booty recast as a missle. There are several other references to ancient myths. One reference that I think is interesting is that Dan chose to paint himself as the Cyclops, one of the most brutal and unlikable characters from Greek Mythology, interesting psychological choice - the large central eye makes for a striking image too.

This painting style is interesting to me because drawing plays a subserviant role to paint application, while in my own work drawing always dominates everything. It is interesting to see someone, working towards a mature vision - like me, the same age as I am, and who has taken a completely different approach to their technique. I love this type of exchange.

Thanks for sending me these images Dan!