It is a great pleasure to showcase the words and talents of Donna Dangott. Her beautiful exhibition, Hidden in Plain View was on the Griffin Gallery’s wall in June of this year. This intricate and layered work, emotionally and visually draws you in, grabs you and holds your attention as you unveil each layer in the work. We wanted to know more about her creative process, the ideas behind this body of work, and her connection to the Griffin. This is what she had to say.
How did you first connect to the Griffin Museum?
I became acquainted with the Griffin Museum in early 2021. I was exploring what galleries and other institutions in New England that might be of interest to me for consuming their offerings, but also, to possibly exhibit my own work at some point. It was around that time I first became acquainted with Paula Tognarelli, the former director of the Griffin Museum. She had seen some of my work on exhibition at Sohn Fine Art Gallery in Lennox, MA and reached out to me. She was interested in that work and offered me some very wise and valuable advice. And she purchased a piece for her private collection too. Our paths eventually, and happily, crossed again and again. I am forever grateful for that connection. The Griffin, and current director, Crista Dix, have also grown to be important in my career and my ability to continue to learn and grow through all that they offer to our creative community. I have been fortunate to have developed several friendships across the miles with other members of this community as well.
How do you involve photography into your everyday life?
I very rarely have a day now that does not involve photography on some level. If I am not actively working on one or more of my own projects, fulfilling an assignment or purchase of work, managing the calendar of exhibition deadlines, and taking care of other business matters on behalf of my studio practice, well then, I am otherwise spending time reading and researching, visiting exhibitions in galleries or museums, either in person or virtually, taking workshops or attending lectures, networking with other artists here in Texas or across the country, and trying to stay in touch with what is going on in photography and the broader world of visual art here and abroad.
Are there any images or artists who have caught your attention lately?
There are too many to list here really. There are so many truly gifted visual artists, and I discover somebody new to me almost every week. I am humbled on a daily basis to be considered part of this community. I have very eccentric tastes in art and photography—ranging from very traditional to very modern or contemporary—and I enjoy all media. At the moment I am very attracted to the work of two artists—Holly Roberts and Daisy Patton– who each combine photography, collage and painting in their works. Their work is very different in their styles and subject matter, but both artist’s works resonate deeply with me. And, I aim to explore more of the mixed-media methods that they utilize and incorporate that into some of my own work. So, I find their work particularly inspiring, but also, they express their chosen narratives so beautifully and eloquently. If you are not already familiar with their work you should visit their websites.
Tell a little about your recent exhibition ‘Hidden In Plain View’ and how it was conceived.
This series actually grew out of another series titled ‘In The Garden’ , and really, they overlap to some degree. It began during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down, during which I spent a concentrated period of time reflecting on personal history throughout my life, and contemplating ways that I could incorporate some of it into my visual work in a meaningful way. I was beginning to develop my skills more in photomontage and other ways to blend together various images digitally at that time too. Like many other creative folks I was also just feeling extremely vulnerable to all that was going on in our world—on many fronts. Retreating to my gardens and the natural world has always been nurturing and healing to me. I have found that working out a visual project intellectually, emotionally, and creatively is too. Over several months time I worked further on combining images of human sculptural forms with botanical motifs and developed many strong images that expressed visually how many of us survivors of childhood abuse and trauma perceive ourselves at times or how we learn to cope with our experiences. At times in our lives we literally are hiding in plain view. This series has been so well received and I have been deeply touched by the generous and thoughtful conversations shared with me by others who have seen it. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to share this work at The Griffin. The whole series that appeared at recently at The Griffin can be viewed on my website: https://www.ddangott.com/
Has there been a Griffin Museum exhibition that has particularly engaged or moved you?
I actually find most ALL of them engaging and many are indeed very moving. I applaud The Griffin for their commitment to showcasing emerging talent, as well as, those artists who have long established and illustrious careers. The exhibitions are truly rich and quite diverse. There is something to learn from each and every one of them. Living in Texas I am not able to view in person many of the exhibitions there, but I certainly do enjoy them all in a virtual format. And I tune into the artist’s talks as often as I am able. Last Summer I was in Boston for a few days and had the opportunity to view in person a couple of exhibitions that I still think about even now. One was Vaune Trachtman’s ‘Now is Always’ exhibit in the Atelier Gallery. I loved the concept of the series. The images were just magical and her photogravure prints were exquisite. And in the main gallery was the ‘Spirit: Focus on Indigenous Art, Artists and Issues’ exhibition. I found that to be a very powerful exhibition to view in person—as much for the imagery as the subject matter in general. Donna Garcia’s and Meryl McMaster’s images were particularly moving to me.
What is your favorite place to escape to?
My ‘happy place’ can usually be found outdoors on a hiking trail in some remote place or wandering along a deserted stretch of shoreline. I love to explore new landscapes as much as I enjoy returning to old, favorite territory too. I haven’t had near enough time out ‘on the trails’ these past two years due to deadlines and other demands on time, combined with some travel restrictions for one reason or another. However, I am about to embark on a 12 day journey through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River where I will be rafting and hiking each day. The southwest desert terrain has been like my second home for 40 years. In contrast, I am spending all of September in Scotland where the environment is completely different. I very much am looking forward to that adventure too. I plan to stretch my legs and my spirit, shoot new work, sketch, write and contemplate my projects for the next many months ahead.
What is a book, song or visual obsession you have at the moment?
I actually have very broad musical tastes. And the same goes for my reading materials. I have lately become smitten with Flamenco music. It is incredibly passionate and expressive. If you aren’t familiar with it, check out Sabicas, Stefan, and Jesse Cook. However, I am usually listening to very contemplative music by Max Richter, Phillip Glass, Olafur Arnalds, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, among many others. At the moment I am reading Down the Great Unknown by Edward Dolnick. It is the story of “John Wesley Powell’s 1869 journey of discovery and tragedy through the Grand Canyon” as he and a handful of other men explore it for the first time. It seemed appropriate to learn more of that history for my approaching journey in the canyon. At age 64 I am still very eager for new adventures. If the spirits are willing I hope that there will be many more ahead yet in my art and the rest of my life too.
If you could be in a room with anyone to have a conversation, who would it be and what would you talk about?
I would love to have met Georgia O’Keeffe and to spend time with her. I have always admired her fierce independence and commitment to creating not only her own exquisite and sensual art but to living life on her own terms. I would love to just walk through the desert with her and share the marvels of every stone or curve of the terrain, as well as, the expanse of the sky that goes on and on. Nobody else has captured that realm quite like she did in her work. Seeing her work in person is like a spiritual experience for me. The O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe has a wonderful collection of her works and it is well worth a visit.
To see more of Donna Dangott’s body of work, head to her website. Find her on Instagram @ddangott
