Within my artwork I have found my own “unique world” which has no rules or boundaries. My inspirations are varied and vast, everything from dreams and Indians, nuns and demons, the Jerry Springer Show and chickens to sins and celebrities. My world and therefore my art, is guaranteed to be colorful, self-revealing, emotional, childlike and an “eye full” to all who view it. I purposely choose to use nontraditional media. I create my works with various children’s art supplies including, crayons, magic markers, highlighters and colored pens. Using commercial box tops instead of traditional drawing surfaces has enabled me to break down pre-existing print, images, and textures while allowing the type and pictures from the box itself to become organically part of the portrait. During the creative process, I discovered the need to deconstruct then reconstruct the face to fit within the shape of the box. The results are portraits that have a shattered appearance with broken and missing pieces but also form a more powerful, interesting and often disturbing viewpoint. Dion Hitchings, USA
HAF: What was your motivation for creating the portrait series on consumer box tops?
Dion: My drawings always contain an eye or more; you can see the soul through the eyes. I used un-flattened cereal boxes years ago, just sealed them and painted away on them whole. I was eating an Entenmann’s danish at the studio about a little more than a year ago and the danish box was empty and the thought came to me to flatten the box and broke all frames. It was irregular in shape and type and pictures, which came through after a very light white wash on the box: my new canvas was born. Now am I always looking at boxes with a new insight to see how they flatten, cutouts, type and graphics, too much fun.
HAF: Dion, in this series, I see a strong native American presence. Is there a connection?
Dion: “Unique World” is varied and vast with crazy inspirations, everything from dreams, flowers with eyes, and Indians. I’m part Cherokee Indian.
HAF: Congratulations on your upcoming show Portraits on Consumer Boxes, which opened August 19 at Monmouth Museum. Where else can people see your work?
Dion: You always can see my work, and other Outsider Artists at the Outsider Art Gallery in Frenchtown, NJ. You can visit me there at my studio upstairs at the gallery anytime! There is a group which opened in July, One Bare Foot Square in Amsterdam. Another group show is opening in October, Thereby Hangs a Tale in London, England and I am curating the first juried outsider art show at the Outsider Art Gallery, featuring artists worldwide, that will open at the end of the year called “Our World”.
HAF: How many pieces are you including in the show.
Dion: Right now there will be 12 – 20 pieces in show.
HAF: Thank you Dion for taking the time to share with HAF. We will be following the progression of your work.
