Spotlight on Michael Dawn
Artistic exploration and self-expression with Micheal Dawn, a rising talent based in Abuja, Nigeria.
We spoke with Michael Dawn, his art features distinct wavy interconnected lines and a dark color palette, which he poetically correlates with the flow of his mind. Each creation, from ‘Buer‘ to ‘The Midnight Sun,‘ is deeply introspective and a fraction of his imaginative world.
Micheal’s path to becoming an artist was born out of necessity—a need for an outlet for expression. Growing up, he learned the hard way the importance of not keeping emotions bottled up. However, his innate creative side led him to transition from a phase immersed in music to therapeutic art, Micheal found solace in creating to convey his emotions. It was during this time that he stumbled upon doodling on his phone, initially as a stress reliever, but soon realizing its potential as a serious creative pursuit.
“For me, creating art is an emotional journey—an endeavor to trap them and represent my feelings in the best way possible,” says Michael.
Drawing inspiration from psychological theories by Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, Micheal infuses his work with symbolism, inviting viewers to delve deeper into the subconscious.
What sets him apart is not only his dedication to his craft but also his commitment to exploring his emotions through art.
Micheal’s artistic style, which he aptly dubs “Skarlett,” is characterized by its fluid curves and unconventional lines, mirroring the ebb and flow of his mind.
“I call my style skarlett, the curves, and weird lines correspond to how my mind flows, Theme wise, you’d clock it if you are tapped in, the flow of nature,” Michael explains.
Among his works, “The Midnight Sun,” stands out in his repertoire.
When asked, he says, “ The Midnight Sun is an extension of myself, a persona I like to embody” he further describes it as “Ancient and Primordial”
As an artist based in Nigeria, Micheal Dawn advocates for more support within the local art community. When asked what change he would like to see happen within the art community, he says;
“More Support. Art is an experience, a personal experience, so having people who can bring theirs out to the point you can make sense of it or enjoy it visually, in your midst? It would be unfair not to support. Support each other and everybody eats.”
In his view, a supportive environment fosters creativity and ensures that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and grow.
If you’d like to explore more of his works, Michael is pretty consistent in sharing them across his social media platforms. You can check him out @michaeldawnn on Instagram and @mikedawnn on Twitter.
