Ron Dahline is an artist who captures attention with his outrageously interesting works. After spotting one of his pieces in a Florida gallery and persuading my parents to buy it, I became a fan of his art. Dahline’s pottery is both terrifying and infused with humor. It seems as if he unleashes his inner demon every time he crafts a piece. He incorporates predominantly dark hues in his Gothic style pottery, and manages to depict horrifying faces with wild expressions.
Dahline’s artwork focuses mostly on decorating jugs and mugs. However, this choice may not be practical as it can be unpleasant to pour water or drink coffee from a container adorned with an unsightly and highly realistic demon head. Additionally, his art pieces are delicate due to their intricate details. Yet, in order to make them functional, Dahline ensures they are dishwasher safe. This means that his art can actually be incorporated into one’s daily life. Personally, if I owned his art, I would integrate it into my everyday routine simply because it would deviate from the ordinary, which I find clever and intriguing.
The chosen piece by Dahline for this essay is a jug in the shape of a four-legged, mean-faced alligator, with two ell-like snakes slithering on its back. The alligator has a long snout with jagged, peal white teeth and quivering lips, giving the impression that it is growling. Its blue and green eyes have a piercing gaze, suggesting that it is growling at or about to bite something above it. The pair of snakes and the alligator are all looking in the same direction, conveying a sense of unity as if they are part of the same team, preparing to attack some kind of prey.
I believe the snakes in this piece are potential prey due to their lack of intimidation and the smirks on their faces do not indicate self-defense. The smirk on the right snake can almost be interpreted as taunting, which adds an intriguing aspect to the artwork. On the other hand, the left snake appears to have a slight smile but seems more curious and investigative towards the object it is observing. The snakes’ eyes are mysterious, completely black with no pupils, evoking a sense of darkness and death. Furthermore, their bodies are striped red and black with swaying neon green and black spikes on their heads, giving them a menacing appearance that suggests they should not be trifled with. These green and black spikes remind me of the legendary Greek monster, Medusa. Similarly intriguing are the eyes of the alligator, a captivating mix of light green and blue. The appearance of the eyes is incredibly realistic, yet the colors used are abstract. I greatly admire Dahline’s skill in creating lifelike clay eyes and mouths. Additionally, the alligator boasts lion-like legs and paws with sharp claws, contributing to its overall imposing and powerful stance.
Ron Dahline’s artwork is a fascinating mix of deadly animals, incorporating blue, green, and a light faded beige on the body of the alligator to create a dark, cold, and worn appearance. In its own crazy, abstract, Gothic, and humorous way, his pottery brings life to the viewer and evokes both fear and intrigue. His unique style has left a lasting impact on me and I anticipate seeing his influence on future artists. His work caters to those with strange and abnormal tastes, captivating my interest. I aspire to one day own one of his pieces for my home, just as my parents did.
