THE OPULENT ART OF ANDY DIXON
A conversation with artist Andy Dixon on the intersection of art and commerce.
By Caleigh Alleyne - May 28th 2021
The idea of a dramatist writing a play within a play or a screenwriter penning a film about making a film is a recurrent theme on stage and on screen. However, a painting containing the image of another painting is currently perceived as unconventional practice in the art world—especially when it comes from Andy Dixon. The concept of capturing existing works of art on canvas first became popular in the 16th century, but Dixon, with his historical know-how, has been able to bring the technique back in vogue. His fixation stems from the way the Vancouver-born, LA-based artist considers the idea of opulence. Works that have conveyed this the most have been exhibited at New York’s Joshua Liner Gallery last year. That sense of intrigue and curiosity has continued in his current work.
“Of course, I believe in art so I’m not trying to cheapen the magic of it,” says Dixon, “but at the same time, you could also look at an artist as someone who just makes products to sell.” In a sense, the artist believes that art is, in its own way, a luxury item to own. Which is why Dixon’s work is a conversation between art and commerce—his paintings touch on how the two can live, work and experiment together. “I think there is a lot of comedy and taboo that exists in the gray area of those two concepts,” he says.
In the Patron’s Home series, Dixon recreates his own paintings in domestic scenes set in the homes of those who now own the works. Detailing anonymous and intricate living spaces in LA, Hong Kong, London and New York, the Patron’s Home series is devoted entirely to patrons as it is a contemporary interpretation of the tradition of artists painting their own masterpieces (as seen most notably in Henri Matisse’s The Red Studio). In comparison, Dixon’s Patron’s Homeseries is an examination of the evolving relationship an artist has with his work following its purchase. “I wanted to highlight the commercial side of things,” says Dixon, “if a painting is now bought and sold, what happens to a work of art when it is out of my hands? ”
Source
https://businessaircraft.bombardier.com/en/experience/lifestyle/opulent-art-andy-dixon