DANCE SERIES STATEMENT

Someone has said that dance is the language of the body. Through rigorous practice and preparation, it can become the art of the body. In the trained, selflessly disciplined dancer, it is poetry. The beauty and athleticism of a trained and capable dancer at work is something to behold. I am intrigued by the countless hours of repetitive, often-strenuous labor behind the scenes to perfect the movements and phrasing that become to the viewer, a seemingly effortless flight of the human spirit. This series of figurative works celebrates the poetry of the human figure in dance, from ballet to salsa. All but one of the figures are actual San Antonio or Austin area dancers who live and work in the city. They are my allies in this series. I attempt here to give a small glimpse into the world of the dancer. At times, I aim to reflect what the dancer may be experiencing on the inside, by using expressive color, and brushwork to visually transplant those feelings to the surface. At other times, I strive to show the quiet moments of waiting. I have intentionally muted/obliterated the dancers’ facial features to create universal figures that evoke an ethereal, mysterious quality. Throughout the process of creating the works for this series, each painting became a partner with whom I joyfully wrestled and danced. - Steven DaLuz