Carroll Dunham
Carroll Dunham, born on November 5, 1949, in New Haven, Connecticut, is a renowned American painter celebrated for his conceptual approach to art. Raised in Old Lyme, a community rich in American impressionism history, Dunham’s early environment significantly influenced his artistic sensibilities. His aunt, a Sunday painter, introduced him to art at a young age.
Dunham graduated with a BA from Trinity College in Connecticut in 1972. He moved to New York City the following year, where he worked as an assistant to artist Dorothea Rockburne and immersed himself in the vibrant art scene. This period marked the beginning of Dunham’s exploration into the dynamic relationship between abstraction and figuration, which would become a hallmark of his work.
From 1981 to 1987, Dunham experimented with wood veneer, creating striking compositions that married geometric and organic forms. His work during this period was noted for its “psychic pluralism,” as described by Ken Johnson, with contrasts between wood and paint, abstraction and representation, and body and mind.
In the late 1980s, Dunham shifted his focus to singular motifs, such as hatted male figures, trees in landscapes, and nude female bathers. These recurring themes allowed him to evolve his practice continuously, creating paintings that seemed to generate new forms through thematic variations.
Dunham’s innovative work has been showcased in numerous prestigious exhibitions. He was the subject of a mid-career retrospective at the New Museum in New York and has exhibited at the Millesgården in Stockholm. His art has been featured in several Whitney Biennials and international exhibitions like “Disparities and Deformations” at SITE Santa Fe.
His contributions to contemporary art are recognized globally, with pieces included in the collections of major institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Tate Gallery in London, and the Whitney Museum of Art.
Dunham’s work is characterized by its indefinability, as it dips into various realms, including surrealism, graffiti, and pop art, without settling into one. His approach to painting—using subjects as mere tools to explore and create—reflects his belief in the fluidity and endless possibilities within art.
Carroll Dunham remains a pivotal figure in contemporary art, influencing both the direction of abstract art and the broader dialogue around the relationship between abstraction and figuration. His work continues to inspire new generations of artists and viewers alike, reinforcing his status as a crucial player in the evolution of modern art.
