Artist Statement:
It is true that Art lends itself to many interpretations and, in that, graciously accepts them. However, it has a specific truth. Art is a reality. Most communication is confusion. In my opinion, if art communicated more than one thing, then it lies to itself and to the audience. To this mean, I have sought to develop a style in which to speak without compromising my position of not using art as a communicative tool. I had to somehow fit my ideal into a form in which art and communication could reasonably merge and become one flesh. In doing this, I was faced with the challenge of appropriating a language in which communication would be clearly understood. Therefore, I turned inward to my spirituality; that is to say, my God-focused spirituality. Therefore, I started seeking peace- listening to music and reading poetry. Then, I found myself in uncharted territory; I began to read books. Aside from the Bible, I happened upon Edward Luis Cole’s book, Maximized Manhood, and W.E.B. Dubois’ book, The Souls of Black Folks. These three books were very instrumental in my immergence. My passion was slowly restored. This restoration led me to explore a new way of thinking and using my art. Everything became referential- words, text, signs, symbols; everything. In all this, while repristinating a childlike innocence and sensibility to keep it simple and pure, a language library began to immerge. In this simplicity, there was evidence of a profoundness that was, and is, totally inspiring. This two year journey was the birth of my new style which I have termed, URBAN EXPRESSIONISM- copyright 2002.”
This new style, URBAN EXPRESSIONISM, allows me to be spontaneous and playful, and also serious, with my work; it’s like being in recess but knowing exactly what you want to do while in recess. All that is required is to accept it and take hold of it. These ideas and words would come to me- as many words do- in thought particles that were floating in my space. In the feverish play of words, my mind opens up to receive these particles of thought. As they come to me I play with them, change them, wondering if they are actual words, signs, and symbols- normally I would not care since my process is that of 'anacoluthon'; which means, an abrupt change within a sentence structure to a 2nd grammatical degree that is inconsistent with the first [but, yet, somehow references the 1st degree]. Some are real, but most are not; which I possess and store into my own language library. Then, I let my connection with the Spirit flow through the work; as I am not interested in preaching with my work, or even to intellectualize my work. Yet, somehow it happens to be this way; for there is a purpose. The result is rhythmically and spiritually flowing in nature. Rhythmically disjointed like jazz notes; the approach and application works to make the flow resonate into your soul- your true essence. Spiritually, the work originates from Christian concepts, symbolism, and sensibility. Although, my affinities are rooted in the Classical and Traditional aspects of art, the appeal of the Modern and Contemporary has been fused into it to make the rythmical and the spiritual more pronounced; like an adverb- Proverb. Things are etched or scratched out to invoke feeling of intuitive knowing and investigation. There is simplicity, purity, and truth that solely lay within the traditions and classics; but it can also be expressed within the Modern; the Contemporary. So, I endeavor to show this simplicity, purity, and truth in this era- my time. And my time is now.
Artist Biography:
California-born mixed-media, multi-visual creative Spirit Dune-Micheli Patten seriously started his professional career in 2002; although, Patten has enjoyed inclusion into numerous group exhibitions- previous to 2002- to get his feet wet while under study at The University of Houston. Houston-based, although world-focused, Dune-Micheli is largely a self-taught artist and is always in search and support for artistic research and development. Even at the early age of two (2), he had always fantasized about doing something great and being famous; to make a mark. His mother understood his greatness at a very early age [at two (2) years of age] when he completed his first drawing- which was later titled, The Karate Chicken. Dune has shown and continues to show his works in group and individual exhibitions around the Houston area; as well as both nationally and internationally. A promising career was almost ended when, in the Fall of 2001, he fell victim to an near-death automobile accident which left him partially paralyzed and in rehabilitation that lasted another year. During this time, he turned inward to his spirituality; that is to say, a God-focused spirituality. Seeking peace- listening to music and reading poetry- which also found himself in uncharted territory; he began, again, to read books. In this, he says, “My passion was slowly restored. This restoration led me to explore a new way of thinking and using my art.” His spiritual strength, passion, and fortitude led to his miraculous recovery and first major installation project titled, “Treasures in Jars of Glass: Modern-Day Essenes,” at Project Row Houses- Third Ward, TX; which gained the attention of major institutions and museums- in particular, The Gates Foundation and The Seattle Art Museum. This installation resonated with the spirit of discovered truth and his testimony. Dune says, “Art is not simply communication. For me, art is a substantial transference of energy; with the Spirit at the core of it. Art should say nothing; but it should be true and resonate everything. Art should be spherical; going in all directions but still having a specific point- it’s origin. In my opinion, if art communicated more than one thing, then it lies to itself and to the audience. To this mean, I have sought to develop a style in which to ‘speak’ without compromising my position of not using art solely as a communicative tool. I had to somehow fit my ideal into a form in which art and communication could reasonably merge and become one flesh. In doing this, I was faced with the challenge of appropriating a language in which communication would be clearly understood.” Furthermore, He says, “Everything became referential- words, text, signs, symbols; everything. A spherical collection. In all this, while repristinating a childlike innocence and sensibility to keep it simple and pure, a language library began to emerge. This two year journey was the birth of my new style which I have termed URBAN EXPRESSIONISM- copyright 2002” His frequented independent venues, as well as numerous galleries include: Missouri1521 Gallery, Lawndale Art Center, Project Row Houses, G-Gallery, Gallery 101, Houston Community College-Central Campus Fine Art Gallery, Inman Gallery, The ArtHouse at the Jones Center, Dunn & Brown contemporary, The Museum of Art-Austin, The BathHouse Cultural Center, The Cameron Gallery, Southern Methodist University, FineSilver Gallery-San Antonio, The Museum of Fine Arts-Houston, Commerce Street Artists' Warehouse, Rick Wells’ Studio 101 Gallery, Café Boticell, Vox Culture Houston, Midtown Art Center, and Deborah Colton Gallery- with past, and recent, commissions and acquisitions of his work by; Washington Mutual Bank-Montrose of Houston, First Presbyterian Church-Museum District, and S.H.A.P.E. Community Center-Third Ward; and with future showing, in Ireland, Italy, Africa, and the UK. Dune's exhibitions have been reviewed and/or mentioned in various publications such as The Public News, Houston's Other, ARTSHouston Magazine, The Third Eye, Inc., Modern Luxury-Houston Magazine, Houston Styles Magazine, Case Magazine, ENVY Magazine, 002 Magazine, Dazed and Confused Magazine, TimeOut-UK, PaperCity Magazine, and WET PAINT SYNDROME web-zine. As well as appearing on Public news, radio, and cable stations such as FOX26 News, ABC-13 News, Melanie Lawson's CROSSROADS, KCOH Radio Station, KKHT100.7 Neon Fish, and Houston Media Source Cable Access-17. In addition, his work has found their way into private collections locally, nationally, and internationally. Dune-Micheli Patten was born in California but now lives and works in Houston, TX.
