ARTIST STATEMENT

My paintings reflect the two divergent cultures in which I have lived…. African art and Western culture both emerge themselves in my work. My work takes on slightly surreal proportions within everyday life. Through the use of bold color the real World becomes My World on canvas.

- BACK TO TOP

ARTIST BIO

An undefined energy inspires me to go along this creative process and my figures move from abstract to surrealistic to realistic forms, breathing between layers of colors and details of drawing. My work moves and yearns for unity within its own contrasts. And when it achieves unity it brings about a tranquility and joy.

Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dilip Sheth immigrated to America in 1980. Though managing business most of his adult life, his passion is fine art. Awed early on by works of great artists, such as Van Gogh and Gaugin, he was inspired to begin painting in his own right. Dilip Sheth's paintings evoke two distinct emotions simultaneously. The first - a feeling of individuality emerges from heavy dark outlines resonant in his work. Thus, the unique integrity of each figure and object comes forth. This singularity of subject is offset by soft, curving lines-blurring perceptions of reality--to create an overall sense of the surreal. The combination of deep earth tones that dominate his palette, and his primitive style, derive from his early exposure to African art and culture.

Currently, Dilip resides in Takoma Park, Maryland.

- BACK TO TOP

Press Release

Philadelphia, Pa – August 1, 2003 - ArtJaz Gallery is pleased to present “Escape In Color: the Paintings of Dilip Sheth.” An exhibition of works will be on display September 5-October 25, 2003. The opening reception will be held on Friday, September 5, 2003 5pm – 8 pm.

Bold and vibrant, moody and explorative, Dilip Sheth’s “Escape In Color” reflects the divergent yet complementary cultures that have shaped his career. Born and raised in Addis Abbaba, Sheth was first introduced to the potency of artistic expression via the distinctive colors and rich cultural imagery of his native Ethiopia. He studied art in high school and college, and soon developed a predilection for such Post-Impressionist masters as Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh, whose styles and artistic sensibilities would heavily influence his later work. Sheth immigrated to the United States in 1980 where he worked in business management for most of his adult life, before finally returning to his fine art roots.

Sheth’s work is self-consciously expressionistic. His carefully orchestrated palette and balanced compositions are meant to relate his unique feelings for his subjects, and in turn he hopes to pass this sense of reverence on to his audience. “Escape In Color” favors saturated landscapes and somnolent, light-bathed still lifes, emitting a calm and tranquility fueled by an undercurrent of passion. Sheth’s elongated figures and distorted forms are often described by dark expressive outlines, defining areas of luminescent, brilliant color that sing his subjects’ praises.

Process and technique are essential to Sheth’s vision. For this series, Sheth often went back and studied his own painting, taking sections of works that interested him and manipulating the images until they could stand on their own. Each painting is meticulously constructed to produce a balanced composition, paying close attention to the relationship between colors. When working in such a bold chromatic schema, Sheth often faced the challenge of ensuring that one color could “survive the presence of another.” His use of thick impasto literally lends further substance to each painting, thus adding to its overall presence.

The ArtJaz Gallery, a premier fine art gallery, specializes in promoting the art of emerging and established artists of color in Philadelphia and throughout the United States.

" Escape In Color " will be on exhibit September 5 –October 25, 2003. The opening and artist reception will be held on Friday, September 5, 2003, from 5 pm. to 8 pm. For more information, call 215 922-4800 or visit our website at www.artjaz.com. ArtJaz Gallery is located at 53 N. Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

- BACK TO TOP