GEORGE DUNBAR

The very large platter for sale here is an intriguing and interesting piece on many levels. It is enormous, measuring almost 16’’ in diameter. It is completely flat with only a small rim of about 1” that is slightly raised from the body of the piece. The piece is quite imposing.

George Dunbar has worked for years out of Bozeman, Montana, and most of his work reflects the distinctive characteristics of the land - some very abstract, some very jagged in nature, rough hewn, but always within an extraordinarily refined language.

The piece here, if positioned so it reflects the landscape, is sheer genius - a painting worthy of a Chagall or any other mainline artist. If one must be literal (something I despise), the jagged mountains are built on a background of dark black, with a brown glaze used to form the figurations. The sky can be interpreted as directly above and all the way to the rim. Across this wide, white sky, Dunbar has skillfully used the technique of sgraffito to etch a perfectly formed tracery of lines that reach down to the original black glaze. These are executed in a highly calculated and planned series of arches, finishing the painted landscape.

But, I challenge any artist with the least bit of an open mind to turn this piece to approximately eleven o’clock, and what the viewer sees is totally abstract, with references to no pre-existing figurations. Turn it the other way and the same thing will happen. The landscape quickly disappears and an extraordinarily abstract series of lines and masses take shape. I find wonder and imagination in this interpretation. I can stare at it for hours, whereas the figurative view has an end. (I will probably receive a terse letter from the artist for this interpretation).

Whoever purchases this monumental piece will possess artwork that will hold its own against any works of any contemporary painters or potters. This is truly a gallery work, and a piece that will require its own space. A lot of it.

CODE #07 – 36