Interview
Nathan Dawson
Nathan Dawson is an Indigenous Australian with family ties to the Gomeroi Nation from around Gunnedah, NSW, Australia.
Nathan likes depicting people in his art. He loves facial expressions, and how the human body can frame an artwork.
He also likes the gritty, raw side of art and tries to include it in the aesthetic of his craft.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“Like many kids, I drew all the time, but my art changed when I fell in love with MAD magazines. I loved the art of Mort Drucker and Don Martin, and enjoyed trying to draw in their style. Over time, I developed my own style.
I lived in Japan for ten years. In 2009, I applied for the Japanese NIKA Art and Design awards three years in a row. As a result, my work was exhibited thrice in the Japan National Gallery in Roppongi, Tokyo! That was one of the highlights of my art career.
More recently, I have had exhibitions in private galleries in Australia. I now exhibit in Bromley and Co galleries in Victoria, Australia.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“I like drawing people. The human body and face are masterpieces. I love facial expressions and how a figure's pose can determine the composition of an artwork.
A theme that often pops up in my work—often unintentionally—is the ever-increasing shift to digitizing our lives. I long for the analogue and feel that making our private lives hyper visible is a dangerous road; one that could be exploited by those in power, especially with the digitization of currencies.
I also include my indigenous roots in some artworks. My experience of reconnecting with my Aboriginal spirituality and identity often shows up in my art. Ultimately, though, much of my art is purely about composition and color scheme.”
Which current art world trends are you following?
"I love street art but I also love traditional artists, especially Salvador Dali and Basquiat. I try to blend the two in my way. Some works contain one figure and are somewhat simple, but others are complex and have multiple people.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“Some works are improvised, but I am happy with the ones I thoroughly plan for.
What process, materials, techniques, etc., do you use to create your artwork?
“I usually begin with an idea which I sketch out in my sketchbook, where I play with color and composition. I then find a canvas and throw on a background. Next, I draw the images I want on cardboard and cut them out to make a stencil, which is used to paint the color with my airbrush or brush. Then I play around with shadow and light using a pen or fine brush. Lastly, I often ‘tag’ the artwork with ‘stream of consciousness’ or themes I think of.”
What does your art mean to you?
“I need to keep making art. I become anxious when I can't make art for a week or two. I need to keep my ideas coming out onto paper or canvas, maybe because too many ideas are clogging up my mind. I love visual art — both making and admiring other people's art.”
“I don't like thinking about a life where I could not make art in some capacity because I feel like that is what I am meant to do.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“I used to make art on paper and then decided to work on canvas at a bigger scale. The first time I painted on a canvas would have to be a memorable piece, though not necessarily my favorite because I feel like I put much of myself into each artwork, and I love them all.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“NIKA Art and Design awards- National Art Centre, Tokyo, Japan 2008, 2009, 2010.
Residency at Bromley and Co. 2022- present.”
Instagram: @nathandawsonart
Other: TikTok
