Cycle of quarter-days observances, circa 23800 b.c., May Day, Les Eyzies
Verne Dawson, 1999, oil on canvas, 82 x 100 inches, © 1999, courtesy of Gavin Brown’s enterprise and the artist
Verne Dawson
In his fanciful oil paintings, Verne Dawson creates timeless scenes that convey humanity’s relationship with the natural world. He portrays people in verdant landscapes, happily engaged in pastoral activities and pagan rituals. He depicts a tribal existence of alluring simplicity, in which humans follow the rhythms of nature. Dawson often refers to a distant past in which ancient humans worshipped nature and lived according to the seasons and other natural cycles. He awakens feelings of nostalgia for a time when nature permeated our daily routines, our calendar and our folklore, and hints at a possible future in which modern technology coexists with a deep connection to nature. In works such as “Massacre of the Little People by the Big People,” Dawson reminds us of the troubled environmental legacy that humanity must overcome to attain such a future. Dawson encourages us to move beyond this checkered past by reconnecting with the natural world and embracing our ancestors’ devotion to nature.
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Cycle of quarter-days observances, circa 23,800 b.c. Solstice Procession in the Magdelenian Era
Verne Dawson, 2001, oil on canvas, 82 x 100 inches, © 2001, courtesy of Gavin Brown’s enterprise and the artist
Verne Dawson’s paintings celebrate a time when humans were immersed in the natural world. Has our growing isolation from nature had adverse effects on our health and well-being? This blog post discusses a range of health issues, such as allergies and psychological conditions, that may be caused by our isolation from nature.
Boy and Wooly Rhinoceros
Verne Dawson, 1999, oil on canvas, 12 x 16 inches, © 1999, courtesy of Gavin Brown’s enterprise and the artist
In “Boy with Wooly Rhinoceros,” Verne Dawson portrays a child leading a domesticated, ice-age rhinoceros down a dirt path. As in similar paintings from this period, Dawson weaves idyllic fantasy into his depictions of prehistoric natural history. He transports us back to the dawn of domestication, where we encounter a scene that feels more like a memory than a dream. What do we know about the domestication of animals during this period in history? Based on recent genomic studies, some researchers believe that dogs, thought to be the first domesticated animal, may have become domesticated from ancient wolves as far back as 20,000-40,000 years ago. There is even speculation that the footprints preserved in Chauvet Cave include those of a child and his wolf companion, dating back more than 20,000 years. Learn more about the history of domestication in this annotated table of domesticated animals.
Massacre of the Little People by the Big People
Verne Dawson, 2002-2003, oil on canvas, 82 x 100 inches, © 2003, courtesy of Victoria Miro, London and the artist
In “Massacre of the Little People by the Big People,” Dawson recounts a myth in which conquerors from Nordic regions slaughtered tribes of little people inhabiting prehistoric Britain. Dawson’s portrayal of the conquerors is haunting, their calm detachment at odds with the gruesome acts of violence they have just committed. Is this story a metaphor for humanity’s imperious relationship with nature and callous treatment of our fellow creatures?
Pagans
Verne Dawson, 2009-2010, oil on canvas, 100 x 109 inches, © 2010, courtesy of Gavin Brown’s enterprise and the artist
Verne Dawson’s interest in folklore is reflected in many of his works, including “Pagans.” In the past, much of our folklore was inspired by the natural world and passed on through oral tradition. This sampling of Native American myths exemplifies such folklore. Do we continue to create and disseminate folklore today? According to this insightful blog post, folklore lives on in the digital age in the video games we play and the urban legends we share on the internet.
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Verne Dawson’s work reminds us that we can live fulfilling lives when we have a deep connection to nature. If you are inspired by his work, you can take action in your own life. Select one or more pledges listed below and spread the word. You can also learn more by visiting our Pledge Center. Let’s #EndOvershoot and save our #OneEarth.