Dara Altobelli
Palm Springs, California
Dara is a contemporary abstract painter living and working in Palm Springs, CA. Her work is bold, colorful, layered and often includes multimedia markings.
Message
Artist Statement – Dara Altobelli
I am both a purist and a realist. My artwork explores the dichotomy of the pure or perfect natural world and the current reality or actual state of being. I use abstraction in my painting to challenge the conventional idea of anything being perfect or pure. All my work is initially inspired by – and then abstracted away from – a perfect moment, sighting, or view. Sometimes it’s a view in nature, a real image or experience, or even another masterpiece of art which I find perfect in that moment.
The ’story’ of each painting is found in the gap I try to bridge between the initial inspiration and reality. Each story is different, but all my work is rooted in a base composition of markings, imperfections, layers and contrasts of real human experience. My finished work is left with a hint of purity and a demonstrated path of complication and reflection of reality. Each piece is complete when my mind is still, and the artwork meets me where I am.
I am reluctant to describe my work in length as I feel each piece of art should stand on its own and compel the viewer. I believe the words of Josef Albers that “Art is concerned with something that cannot be explained by words or literal description. Art is revelation instead of information, expression instead of description.”
Statement
Artist Statement – Dara Altobelli
I am both a purist and a realist. My artwork explores the dichotomy of the pure or perfect natural world and the current reality or actual state of being. I use abstraction in my painting to challenge the conventional idea of anything being perfect or pure. All my work is initially inspired by – and then abstracted away from – a perfect moment, sighting, or view. Sometimes it’s a view in nature, a real image or experience, or even another masterpiece of art which I find perfect in that moment.
The ’story’ of each painting is found in the gap I try to bridge between the initial inspiration and reality. Each story is different, but all my work is rooted in a base composition of markings, imperfections, layers and contrasts of real human experience. My finished work is left with a hint of purity and a demonstrated path of complication and reflection of reality. Each piece is complete when my mind is still, and the artwork meets me where I am.
I am reluctant to describe my work in length as I feel each piece of art should stand on its own and compel the viewer. I believe the words of Josef Albers that “Art is concerned with something that cannot be explained by words or literal description. Art is revelation instead of information, expression instead of description.”