Penumbra

/pəˈnəmbrə/

“a space of partial illumination (as in an eclipse) between the perfect shadow on all sides and the full light”. 

This show represents a transition in Dahlstrom’s art making process. A step into the unknown is scary. Art making has always served as a mechanism for discovery. Challenge is the lynch pin of growth. As Dahlstrom grew complacent in his practice, he understood it is time for the next step in his journey. Realism reflects the outside world, while abstraction reflects the inner psyche. Dahlstrom’s works have been void of himself, so taking a step into abstraction forces him to open up and put himself on the canvas. The works here show the artist finding what emerges when light meets dark.

Artist Bio: 

Nick Dahlstrom was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He studied art at Albion College in Albion Michigan. During that time, he had the opportunity to study in Florence, Italy, as well as the surrounding Tuscany area through the SACI Program. While there he was inspired by the Renaissance Artist’s pursuit to understand perspective and build a culture with art. After school, in 2014, he moved to Durham, NC and calls it home today.  Dahlstrom uses painting to examine the photographic image and redefine the border between realism and abstraction. In 2021, Dahlstrom was juried into the artist Co-Op space “Golden Belt Artists’ located in downtown Durham. It’s there that Dahlstrom builds community in the art scene by hosting events like weekly figure drawing sessions and more.