artist 35 and 36

Marcel Dzama

Marcel Dzama‘s work is inhabited by an expansive cast of recurring human, animal, and hybrid characters. Typically manipulating a distinctive palette of muted browns, grays, greens, and reds, the artist has developed an immediately recognizable visual language that penetratingly explores human action and motivation, often by means of the violent, erotic, grotesque, and absurd. His practice unleashes a universe of childhood fantasies and otherworldly fairytales, drawing equally from folk vernacular as from artistic influences that include Dada and Marcel Duchamp. (which is funny because his name is almost a combination of the two!) Widely known for his works on paper, Dzama has in recent years expanded his practice to include sculpture, painting, film, and dioramas. In the latter, he constructs intricate, complex, three-dimensional scenes using his signature drawings, collage elements, cardboard, and occasionally ceramics.

Born in 1974 in Winnipeg, Canada, Dzama received his B.F.A. from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. Since 1998, his work has been represented by David Zwirner, New York. 

http://www.davidzwirner.com/artists/marcel-dzama/biography/

Jockum Nordström

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgaleNlWmLw

Nordström is known for his collages, paintings, drawings and sculptures that knit together references to folk art and outsider art, jazz, surrealist collage, furniture and architectural design,  human sexual habits and maritime lore.  He has also written children's books and designed album covers. (although I'm not sure I would hire him for a children's book if he is also known for his human sexual habits work;)  His work is in the public collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Moderna Museet and Magasin 3 in Stockholm, and the Gothenburn Art Museum.  

Having tried printmaking once without exactly liking it, I would like to give major props to any artist who takes so much painstaking time to create prints and collages out of small pieces of paper.  However.  I do like his work.  I think it is lacks the feeling and conviction I've seen in so many of the other artists I have been studying lately.  In the video I have attached that details an interview of the artist, he seems so dry.... so much less alive.  I want my work to make people feel alive.  Maybe that is why I want to be a teacher.  Teaching art is all about bringing creativity to life.  Life in art is one of my biggest ideas for senior sem this semester.... finding new life, discovery, dreams, and purpose.