Surrealism is a modern movement in art in which an attempt is made to portray or interpret the workings of the unconscious mind as manifested in dreams: it is characterized by an irrational, fantastic arrangement of objects.
Doug Davis was born in Muskegon, Michigan and is a self-taught artist. He enlisted into the army and his artistic talents were utilized making signs, posters, charts and maps. After the military he found a job at U.S. Steel. He worked in blast furnaces and was employed there for 30 years. Now retired, Doug works in his garden, but mostly focuses on painting. He paints to express his point of view of situations in the evolution of the world of yesterday, today and maybe even tomorrow. He loves Salvador Dali but never attempted to imitate his art, although he is an inspiration. One of his favorite paintings is a self portrait on the beach in Miller where he has created a self vision as a statue standing frozen in the moment of creation. He has shown his paintings at South Shore Performing Arts Center where he won a Judge’s Award, and is thrilled to be exhibiting his paintings at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts in Gary.
The Exhibit will have an opening reception with wine, beer and snacks for First Fridays on April 7th and run through Sunday April 30th Fridays and Saturdays 6-9pm and Sundays 1-4pm.
Its free and everyone is welcome!
GARY, IN – Floating sacred red balloons, angels, and giants putting mammoth eight balls on the beach will be among the fantastic images on display throughout the month of April at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts in the Miller Beach section of Gary.
Sponsored by the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District, Muskegon, MI native Doug Davis’ paintings will be available for viewing in the gallery, starting with an opening reception as part of First Fridays on Lake Street Friday, April 7th from 6-9pm.
Describing himself as a self-taught artist, Davis enlisted in the army at an early age. There, officers recognized his abilities and set him to work making signs, posters, charts, and maps.
After the military, Davis got a job at U.S. Steel, where he worked in blast furnaces for 30 years. Now retired, he spends his time puttering in his garden and, mostly, painting.
“I paint to express my point of view of situations in the evolution of the word of yesterday, today, and maybe even tomorrow,” he said, adding that he concentrates mostly on surrealist imagery.
Surrealism is a modern movement in art in which an attempt is made to portray or interpret the workings of the unconscious mind as manifested in dreams. It is characterized by fantastic, irrational arrangements of objects. Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali are two of its most famous practitioners.
Dali, in particular, was a huge influence on Davis. “I love Salvador Dali,” he said, “but I never attempted to imitate his art – although he is my inspiration. One of my favorite paintings is a self-portrait on the beach in Miller where I have created a self-vision as a statue standing frozen in the moment of creation.”
The winner of a Judge’s Award from the South Shore Performing Arts Center in Munster, Davis said he’s “thrilled to be exhibiting my paintings at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts.”
Doug Davis’ painting exhibit will run from Friday, April 7 through April 30 at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts, 540 S. Lake St., Gary, IN. There will be an opening reception with wine, beer, and snacks for the community’s First Friday event on Friday, April 7th. Exhibit hours are Fridays and Saturdays 6-9 p.m., Sundays 1-4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
“Get Surreal” is part of our Exhibits series.
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