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William Dawson, photo by Michael Noland

A Conversation on the Art of William Dawson
February 9, 2006

Press release:
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art will host a conversation on the art of William Dawson on Thursday February 9 th, 2006 at 6:00 pm at Intuit, 756 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago. Admission is free and open to the public. Street parking is available in the immediate vicinity.

Intuit presents this conversation in conjunction with the current exhibition In the Eyes of Mr. Dawson. The exhibition features over 250 of Dawson’s carvings and paintings. Not since the Dawson retrospective at the Chicago Cultural Center in 1990, held a few months before his death, has an exhibition focused on his eclectic work.

The discussion will be moderated by Executive Director of the Northern Indiana Arts Association John Cain who is the curator of In the Eyes of Mr. Dawson. He will be joined by a group of prominent Chicago collectors and art enthusiasts who knew William Dawson, including Jim and Beth Arient, Susann Craig, Dave Kargl, Mike Noland, and Bob Vogele. They will share their personal experiences with Dawson and reflect upon the significance of his art. The public is invited to participate in this conversation as well.

Sculptor William Dawson grew up in Huntsville, Alabama but spent most of life in Chicago. Dawson worked for thirty-five years as a produce distributor in the South Water Street market where he became the first black member of the Teamster Union. It was not until he semi-retired in 1965 at the age of 64 that he began to seriously devote his time to art. Working part-time as a security guard, Dawson passed his time by carving wood figures. When he retired completely, he focused all his energy on creating sculptures of men and women that range in size from several inches to several feet. Dawson’s figures evoke a sense of toy-like playfulness while still remaining rooted in the everyday.