Samuel Dantuma: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting

Left to right: Vertical vs Horizontal, Zig-Zag, and Star
Samuel Dantuma

Stepping far beyond the traditional concepts of painting, Samuel Dantuma’s Bachelor of Fine Arts exhibit features a series of compositions created with cut and reconstructed fragments of wood. By utilizing the condition of the wood as it was found, Dantuma creates a variation of edge relationships using natural tones and textures.

During his collage-like process, Dantuma uses traditional techniques of illusionism, normally used in drawing, to create illusion in his own work. According to Dantuma, techniques like hatching are used to create a “gradual transition between planes by having staggered or broken edges of wood.” This type of edge also allows for his work to become integrated with the wall, by creating the illusion a soft edge and less visual distance between the object and the wall.  This contrast of edges can be seen in the piece Zig-Zag, where Dantuma uses both a staggered and solid edge to create a varied relationship to the wall and an illusion of depth.

Zig-Zag and Composition 3 by Samuel Dantuma

Depth is also created within the images through the use of paraline or isometric perspective. According to the artist, the use of parallel diagonal lines implies depth, but unlike traditional perspective, the lines never converge to a vantage point, leaving ambiguous space. In the piece Star, the parallel diagonals are interrupted and continued by a section of lines in the opposite direction, suggesting a continuation of the same shape and an implied sense of depth.

Incorporating the space surrounding the piece of artwork is an important concept behind Dantuma’s work. While many pieces incorporate the surrounding wall into the composition, like Vertical vs Horizontal, others break away from the wall completely. Composition 3, a tall and slender piece, simply leans against a pillar, while Trip-dik is a freestanding structure.

Also included in Dantuma's exhibit is a self-produced mini documentary featuring the artist discussing his own work. This video has been made available by the artist to view at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy9c2HwPk04. 

Samuel Dantuma is graduating at the end of the semester with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing. His work, along with the three other graduates of the BFA program, will be on display until December 13th, with a reception on December 5th from 4:30 to 7 pm.


 

Amy Gibas
Gallery Assistant
University Art Gallery
Saginaw Valley State University