As part of its spring gallery guide, The New York Times recently released a list of "Four Artists to Watch Now," and SVA alumnus Delano Dunn (MFA 2016 Fine Arts) took one of the spots, in recognition of his mixed-media works that depict racial perception and black history. "Phantom Paradise," Dunn's current exhibition at the Lesley Heller Gallery, consists of works inspired largely by the 1992 Los Angeles riots, a five-day stretch of widespread unrest after a jury acquitted four Los Angeles police officers of assault charges in the beating of Rodney King. Dunn, who grew up in Los Angeles, was 13 at the time. "I remember seeing a guy pushing a shopping cart with a safe in it down the alley," he told the Times. "My grandfather owned two shops, and he was on the roof with his shotgun."
Dunn uses a range of media and multiple layers in his work, continuously pushing the limits of collage making. His materials have included has plexiglass, wood, resin, tape, shoe polish and even glitter. "There are moments of deceptive candy," he says in the article. "It's bubbly and enticing, then you take a bite and it's sour.

"Phantom Paradise" is on view at the Lesley Heller Gallery, located at 54 Orchard Street in Manhattan, until May 19. Dunn will give an artist talk at the gallery on Saturday, May 11, 2:30pm. For the full New York Times story on Dunn and the other selected artists, and more images of Dunn's work, click here.

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