The Irresistible Gallery

Here we are presenting two series of works: Tension and Scholar Stone. Both of these series have been exhibited in Beijing and some of the works from the series are now in private and Government collections. 

These new work of abstracted landscape uses paint on cyanotype to explore the intersection of global geopolitical tensions. Dutton seeks to convey the complex relationship between art histories, politics and how it impacts our landscapes and cultural narrative. By layering paint on top of the photographic images using cyanotype, he is able to create a sense of depth and texture that represents the intricate layers of history and culture that shape these landscapes. 

Asian culture past and present provide inspirations from urban landscapes and historic paintings such as ‘A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains’ by Wang Ximeng and most recently Gongshi (Scholar Stones) and Sakura. Traditionally, Chinese landscapes are not usually real places but imaginary, idealized landscapes; mountains are associated spiritually as they reach up towards the heavens and unworldly forms. It’s believed that looking at paintings of mountains is good for the soul. The abstracted form of these landscapes and Scholar Stones are deconstructed through digital manipulation, worlds can be identified, whether spiritual, academic or in his case taking on a pure abstracted form and relating it to contemporary phenomenological thoughts, human control and art history linked to abstract expressionism. Using urban florescent and neon colours, layered with confusion, chaos emerges, something that is the very opposite to the controlled, restrained and subtle colours of the Chinese Masters. This is China as it is now. IExciting, global, fast, confused, influential, layered and transient. Dutton doesn’t see his work as cultural appropriation, just the landscape we live in, which is a globalised digital landscape, however hard countries try to have a singular national identity. The digital age influences everything and now these landscapes are non geographical.

Ultimately, his work aims to challenge viewers to consider the impact of tensions in the world around us, and to see the beauty and complexity of these landscapes from a new perspective.