Dale’s work contains a strong political message, depicting portraits of threatened indigenous people, mostly from West Papua New Guinea, which collide with familiar symbols of the privileged western world, producing a jarring effect that emphasises their struggle. Dale has become involved with the political struggle to free West Papua from Indonesian occupation. This bitter and hard fought struggle is rarely reported in the West and through his work, Dale has been supporting Benny Wenda, the campaigns leader and long term champion Peter Tatchell, in raising awareness in the UK.
Dale’s work has always been boldly figurative and has been inspired by his strongly held humanitarian beliefs. However, this political message is always achieved by an emphasis on powerful direct emotions and a deep empathy for his subjects.
More recently Dale has been invited to art festivals nationally and internationally as well as painting many iconic murals across London, where he lives and works.
This image is titled Grimmy 86 and is another study executed on paper in 2014.
Along with the traditional Tribal figure Dale also introduces 20th Century iconography which is at odds with the simple way of life led by the indigenous population.
This is mounted on art board and set behind Clear View glass.
Description: Painting - acrylic and oil on canvas
Size: 120 cm x 89 cm
Worlds Collide is the result of the previous working drawings showing a fully worked piece incorporating the Tribal Shaman and the Images of the modern word encroaching upon their simple every day way of life.
This is executed on canvas and is mounted within a simple shadow box frame , dated 2014