Dolan Geiman

Often perceived as paintings, my art pieces are actually composed of hundreds of pieces of paper and metal, cut by my own hands, and then affixed to a wood panel. All of the paper and metal I use for these collages comes from abandoned spaces–old factories, forgotten farmhouses, warehouses, and materials I find on the street, with some materials dating as far back as the 1800’s. Once I have gathered up a pile of vintage materials, I sketch out an image on board and start cutting and affixing all of the papers/metals to the surface. Though I’m often asked if I have a special tool to cut the materials, I only use scissors and tin snips. Rich in narrative and nostalgic in feel, my collages tell stories of larger-than-life characters and forgotten eras–be that a bison on the plains or cowboy singing into microphone. My inspiration comes from an early life spent exploring the woods around our Virginia cabin, and my themes reflect my ideas about man and nature and the struggle that exists between the two. Each mixed media sculpture is created using hand-carved wood, scrap materials & hand cut metal. Some elements are welded together to solidify the form, other pieces are screwed and nailed directly to my forms. Many of my pieces include hundreds of strips of metal which are cut using hand snips. All pieces make use of multiple materials such as wood, reclaimed metal, paint, found objects, sawdust, glue, and wire. In an era where man is increasingly reliant on technology, my work is a departure from the sterile world of iPhones and touchscreens, enriching the art viewing experience for patrons by allowing them an opportunity to experience something tangible and tactile.