The Leading Voice for the Black Arts Community.
Gravitating to the influences of the early American Abstract Expressionist movement and Asian calligraphy, Cleveland Dean pulls from various elements and life experience and has formed an individual style that reflects his vision and his studies of philosophy, sociology, psychology as well as acting as a vouyger of humanity. The centered ideology is that which is to evoke individual thought for the viewer as opposed to being conditioned to what one should think or see which resonates into other aspects of their lives. As a self-taught artist, he refuses to be “professionally” schooled to techniques of art, asserting that a true artist disciplines oneself to determine their own style, and the appropriate means and medium(s) for expression.
“My work is that which bridges the unconscious and conscious; painted in depictions abstracted from my psyche. This can only be done by stepping outside my self-sanctuary and embracing that which exists deep within my soul.”
“Many times when I paint I black out, go into a trance and awake to realize I have just given birth to expression. I do not know the individual within me who paints. My physical frame is simply its vessel to dissertate my mentality in form. I wish not to know this entity. I do not wish for my physical existence to influence this metaphysical being. I allow it to create movement within a still depiction, letting my soul dance on canvas”.
Primarily Cleveland Dean's work finds creation via painting, installation as well as video and sculpture.
Patric McCoy said… Hey Cleveland,
I'm sorry I missed out on seeing that discourse. I have been away from the website for awhile. Sounds like it was pretty intense if you felt a need to delete it. The members of Diasporal Rhythms are looking forward to our visit to your studio later this month. We expect the conversation will be lively but it will be fun and most of all civil.
Patric McCoy, President
Diasporal Rhythms
P.S. Looking at your profile I was struck by the verb "refuses". It made me think of the license that the word "refuses" gives the opposing party to also refuse to consider (I do not mean agree or even compromise) anything being said. "Choses" stakes out the ground for the argument but does not a priori invalidate the opposing thought or approach.
WELCOME!!!!!!
Hey Cleveland! Good to see you!
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