Hard Thinker

Kirkland Arts Center Gallery presents the exhibition, Hard Thinker, a collection of new works by painter Dana Blume. On view from March 24th to May 13th, 2023, Hard Thinker brings together a collection of canvas and works on paper.

Join us for the reception reception 6-8 PM on Friday, March 24th, 2023 at the KAC Gallery. 

“I would say my practice is characterized by its lack of a strict adherence to specific forms in painting and drawing,” Blume said. “I have never been comfortable with the idea of belonging to a school of thought (to be an “abstract painter,” a “figurative painter,” a “painter who tells stories,” a “painter who reveals information”…).”

Blurring distinctions between painting and drawing, Blume’s influence in cartooning, graffiti, calligraphy, and mural painting is married with subjects from physicality of sport, masculinity, and interpersonal communication. Although his work reads abstract, Blume is inspired by continuity and grandioseness of the historical art history canon but breaks down the illusion with satire and mark-making.

“I like to play with the concerns and conventions found in the canon of history. There is something very exciting to me about using the structures of historical narrative painting to depict something sluggish, awkward and not heroic at all… or making enormous reproductions of loose leaf paper and massive doodles to poke at the myths around abstraction,” said Blume. “With all that said, I really like thinking about the fact that I’m more or less dealing with the same physical limitations of painting that artists throughout history have dealt with, so there is a reverence and a kinship there.” 

Blume’s deviation of traditional form making is compacted with personal memory and references to California skate culture, bringing audiences into a swirling and at times grotesque world of our imagination and subconsciousness.

“I find that Dana’s work engages on many levels – from the aesthetic to the intellectual. His wonderfully satirical playfulness can be seen juxtaposed with the highest commitment to the mark-making process,“ said Miha Sarani, Director and Chief Curator of Kirkland Arts Center Gallery.  “Dana’s work is multifaceted, ranging from the socio-political commentary to the casually observational, from the historically-established fine art to transgressive lowbrow pursuits. Dana – much like one of my favorite artists, Philip Guston – gives birth to a new visual expression. It is an absolute thrill to exhibit his work.”

Set to graduate in June 2023, Blume is a current MFA candidate at the University of Washington in the Painting & Drawing program and is an alum of California University, Long Beach. 

For more information about the artist or gallery hours, https://www.kirklandartscenter.org/exhibitions or email exhibitions@kirklandartscenter.org.