March 25, 2008 – Mango Tango Seaside Art Gallery will have a champagne reception to meet Don Dahlke and view his solo exhibition from 5:30-8:30 p.m., on Friday, March 28. The new, second gallery is located at Yacht Haven Grande Marina, in Building J, next to the coffee shop. Entertainment at the reception will be provided by 2 Blue Shoes, according to a press release from Mango Tango Gallery.
Dahlke was one of the first artists to work with the gallery when it opened 18 years ago. Les Anderson, Judy King and he exhibited in a group show in 1990, and since then he has garnered a loyal client-base from his annual individual exhibit at Mango Tango. Two years ago he decided to give himself more time to conceptualize and create the art. The current exhibit showcases two years of labor.
On view are oil paintings of his signature doorway and window series, as well as limited edition giclee prints on canvas of the admired portal series. He integrates surreal elements in the current architectural paintings. He also created mirror frames as a significant art form, which, due to his skill and talent, carries a price tag of $4,000. He has been exploring the human condition in color, texture and form for many years in abstract works, which he calls "experimentals." His whimsical style is available for the first time in limited edition giclee prints on canvas.
When Mango Tango began working with Dahlke, he lived and worked on St. Croix. He entered every Caribbean juried show he could, and juggled the time to keep Mango Tango and his gallery venues on St. Croix, St. John, St. Kitts, St. Barths and St. Maarten stocked with his artwork. Most of his paintings were of rotund, stylized islanders at work and play. He earned the title of "Caribbean Botero."
Gallery co-owner Jane Coombes explains how important the advent of giclee printing is for Dahlke. "When Pearl Publishing in Portland, Oregon, approached Dahlke to print and market giclee prints on canvas just a few years ago, my husband and I were reticent to give our wholehearted approval. We had emphasized original art as investment art and knew little about the giclee as a legitimate art form. The giclee process involves a computer directing a printer to create a print so like the original that the viewer would need a medical microscope to discern that it is not an original. "
Smokey Pratt, gallery co-owner, says that "the works published by Pearl are printed in a limited edition and signed by the artist. They appreciate in value as originals do. And best of all, Dahlke's commission earnings from their sales, gives him economic security while he explores in painting and sculpture the avenues of his imagination."
The artist will also be signing "A Place in My Dreams," a coffee table book of his many styles of painting, with major emphasis on his signature shadowed portal series. Dahlke will be returning to Mexico in three weeks, where he and his wife live in San Miguel del Allende.
For more information, call 777-3060.
