'Visual artist inspired by existential themes. Freedom narratives. Ultimately by the elemental chiaroscuro in life & art'
ABOUT
THE RMD GALLERY
The RMD Gallery is the on-line portal to the decorative work of artist and photographer Richard Mark Dobson. It is here that he presents his open & limited edition series. Work he considers to be the most suitable for those seeking something beautiful images to hang in their home or office.
ABOUT
RICHARD MARK DOBSON
Profile
1963: Born in Bradford West Yorkshire
1975: Emigrated to South Africa.
1985. Completed graphic design at the prestigious Johannesburg College of Art.
1986-1989. Richard moved to London where his interest in photography began. Assisting one of London’s most acclaimed advertising location photographers, Duncan Sim it was during this time that Richard developed a keen appreciation for photographic craft, technique and above all, the realization that it was through the camera that he could ultimately fulfill his dream to ‘wander the globe’.
1990- Present
He regards his vocation to be a hybrid of social documentary & travel, with a flair for creative and visually compelling corporate, industrial and advertising photography. Now in his 32nd year as a professional, Richard has fulfilled many of his photography ambitions. Since opening his first photographic studio in Hong Kong 1990, Richard has traveled to over 40 countries, lived on three continents, and since leaving Hong Kong in 1997, has called London, Paris, New York, Johannesburg and Cape Town home. He now divides his time between Penang, Hong Kong and Johannesburg.
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Artist Statement
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Photography! Picture taking. Picture making. Thinking about taking pictures. Thinking about making pictures. Looking at pictures. Reading about the people who take & make pictures. Meeting the people that inspire us to make & take pictures. Yes photography has been at the centre of my life now for over 25 years, and the passion for it diminishes no less! It’s my lifeblood. It nourishes, sustains, energizes, frustrates, drains and replenishes me.
I mention making and taking pictures because I have and continue to approach my photographic practice from the two disciples of the genre; namely the observational and conceptual. I go seek moments and I react to that moment, and in so doing I take a picture. I also construct or pre-conceptualize and or create abstract montages from a multitude of images, and in so doing I make a picture. My allegiance or bias towards either is equal. They are chosen according to an idea or ‘series’ I undertake.
I don’t seek or aspire to have an obvious style, or distinct voice embedded to my work. I don’t crave repetition of theme or idea hoping to make my work more discernible. Obviously mine! I prefer anonymity through my choice of idea, theme, practice and technique so that I can explore what I want, where I want, when I want and placate my desire to go make and take pictures, and in hindsight ‘attempt’ to create interesting or compelling work. Ultimately it is my wish to present you the viewer with the fruits of my labour, and encourage you to form your own opinions and draw your own conclusions.
One thing central to my methodology is to attempt to open a discourse between self and subject and by doing so, impart that discourse to you the viewer. That discourse can be one of simply looking and seeing something beautiful, something ‘decorative’. Likewise it could be a discourse into idealism or rather failed idealism. Or satire. Or fear. Then I reciprocate by presenting you with images that might be construed as not ‘decorative’ at all.
Ultimately though in each of my projects I do attempt to look at the concept of existence. I borrow from existential philosophy. I embed an underlying existential ‘clause’ to my images. They are concerned with the notions of the ephemerality of the moment, of life indeed.