January 26 | 12:00 pm – March 15 | 6:00 pm
Exhibition Title: Historic Figures & Nature By Dodji Koudakpo
Exhibition Dates: January 26-March 15
Thurs, Fri, Sat 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
Reception January 27, 5:30-7:30 pm
Brief Synopsis: Dodji grew up in Togo where he first fell in love with art. From childhood, he drew or painted on any surface he could find, his talent illuminating even the humblest corners. He uses everyday experiences, people, places, and things as a basis for his art. Dodji adopted a unique yet flexible approach to art by tapping into the moment. While in the United States, his passion for oil painting persisted. He honed his craft with unwavering dedication, winning prestigious awards and acclaim.
Artist Statement: My art reflects the world, as I am experiencing it, and my objective I wish is to capture the intricate dance between perception, imagination, and reality as vividly as I humanly can. So, I paint my experiences, people, places, and my imagination as they are the inspirations for my art. With every artwork, I invite viewers on a journey of discovery, pushing the boundaries of my creativity. Each brushstroke is infused with intention and meaning.
I am open-minded with my work as I explore subjects freely, to capture the interplay of color and form, to challenge traditional perceptions, to challenge viewer’s imaginations.
My paintings serve as a bridge between worlds apart, closed and afar to inspire and to spark ideas and curiosity.
Artist Quote: A graduate of Syracuse University, he now navigates computer technology professionally. Despite his demanding career, he carves out time to paint, infusing his art with the rich tapestry of his life’s journey, bridging continents and cultures with every brushstroke. “I never force my art; I let it come to me. I treat every artwork as a project of its own, as a structure, and build it with the best technique I feel appropriate for it at that moment, the best way I can.”
VTSU Castleton Bank Gallery
104 Merchants Row
Rutland, VT 05701
@CastletonArtGalleries.com
Oliver.Schemm@VermontState.edu
