Al Dawson
they/them
San Diego, CA, USA
Al Dawson is an artist and maker from Southern California. They received a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Studio Art from San Diego State University in 2021. Their professional experience includes studio management, fabrication, and art handling. Al lives, works, and plays in San Diego, California nature.
“Contemporary craft and sculpture form the backbone of my current practice. In my work, I combine functional design with personal narratives to varying degrees; some works acting as usable tools and others abstracted to the point of uselessness. I explore the human body as a medium and in relation to other media, considering how the viewer will experience, interact, and feel the work. Throughout my practice I explore themes of interdisciplinarity, the body, media and material, femininity and masculinity in craft, and possession through creation.”
How does your work relate to the theme transformation— How does the work translate joy into strength?
"This work advocates for, and asserts the importance of, autonomy over our transforming trans and queer bodies. The freedom of autonomy is translated into a rallying cry for our community’s resilience."
"Trans Autonomy Now", Brass, copper, 2.4"x 3.5", 2020