Lately, he’s been experimenting with new prismatic film techniques, and it’s truly amazing. The viewer is faced with multiple visual plains generated by the same image: the back of a woman’s head, colorful braids wrapped around a rectangular quilt made of vinyl. He modestly explains: “Vinyl Braid was my first quilt
Use these materials. I worked with Rainbow Symphony in Los Angeles to make prism films. When the film arrives it’s thin and can be brittle, so if it’s going to be moved around and rolled up a few times, etc. you’ll need vinyl. Prismatic film is applied to clear vinyl and then sewn together with other colors of vinyl. Clear prismatic sections create rainbow and prismatic colors, while colored vinyl projects stained glass-like images onto walls or floors. Therefore, the piece has two light effects. “In a dark room illuminated by projected light, patches of various colors come to life, like a kaleidoscope of visual feasts.
To achieve these feats, a clean, organized and spacious environment is key. He likes to work on one project at a time, and given how large they are often, he will dedicate an entire studio space to that project. Quilting requires multiple trips from the cutting table to the machine, so access must be clear and the work surface must be smooth and easy to work with.
I want to dedicate my life to this practice and leave something humble but important for my people. ”
Looking to the future, Dionne is keen to continue working with horses as part of his outdoor performing arts. “To me, horses are wonderful and generous creatures; I can learn so much from them. My nephew has autism, and I quickly realized I had to change the way I communicate in order to be effective and supportive. Working with horses does that for me; teaching me to relax and pay attention to subtle cues.”
Waving the quilt, like a flag, over the backs of these beautiful creatures is uplifting. It connects him to his country, minus the violent, racial, and gendered power structures typically conveyed in historical works. Much of his work moves outdoors, further connecting him to the land and culture that mean so much to him. “I want to dedicate my life to this practice and leave something humble but important, if only for my people,” said the unscrupulous artist. *
This article was published in Issue 74 of “High Fructose”. Get the full print version here!
