Freedom to Express Himself
I’ve met and interviewed a lot of people during my career and every person provides a unique story. Yet, few are as touching as Dysen White, a 20-year-old who is on a very special artistic journey. His art, which he refers to as “an expression of his freedom,” really does have an impact on you when he shares that “he pours his soul” into every piece that he creates.
White prefers to stand above the canvas while he decides the message, colors and techniques that will bring his art to life. Each piece tells a different story and emits a different message by a combination of techniques that sometimes resembles a collage.
His motivation and inspiration are very personal.
As an abused child who lived in the foster care system and eventually was homeless, he struggled through hardships that many never experience. His perspective on life was darkened by his daily challenges to survive. Yet, there were those who gave him hope and inspiration. His “auntie” and godmother tried to give him encouragement, yet they also made it obvious that life is serious, and he is the one who controls his future.
Both his auntie and godmother (an accomplished landscape painter) were the ones who encouraged him away from drugs and alcohol and a life of crime.
White knows that he was on the path to destruction had he not been encouraged to use art to be his inspiration for expression and freedom.
Then his art instructor at Roosevelt Community Education Center at Rockford, Illinois saw his talent and motivated him with his knowledge and contacts to help White stay true to his art.
That’s when White’s destiny began to take fold.
Because of Kyle Wolfe, his graphics design instructor, he was given a chance to be a solo show artist at Kortman’s Gallery in Rockford, Illinois. This was kismet, at his first solo art show he sold 23 of his original pieces of art. And then others also began to take notice.
He now has a manager, Bernie Echeverria, who is helping him to show his work at different galleries around the country, including the San Diego Art Advisory Gallery at 3977 Falcon Street in Mission Hills, which is where I met White.
As I viewed White’s various pieces, I was quickly mesmerized by a piece that is titled “The Puppeteer,” because it resembles a collage with lots of elements that speak to its viewers. It says, “Come see me and look at my soul and character.”
I would encourage others to do the same. Visit the San Diego Art Advisory Gallery and thank the proprietor, Alexander Salazar, for believing in Dysen White and giving him an opportunity to share his artwork with those of us in San Diego.
To learn more about Dysen White, visit Dicewhite.com.
Category: Art, Business, Events, feature, Homeless, Life Style, Local News, National News
