Paul & Dakota Noot "Father & Son: The Beast Within Us" in Gallery I
“Adaptiveness” by Paul Noot
PAUL NOOT
The past year I have spent time reflecting on my art that I have produced in the last 10 years. Where do we come from? What are we, and where are we going? In those ten years my art had become a mix of styles, moods, and was in a state of flux. Meditations, my family, environment and the inner self became a focus on the pieces. My work is always rooted in ND with contemporary tendencies. Birds, Bees, and butterflies frequent my work as I am environmentally conscious gardener.
The human spirit, wildlife and the ND landscape are the central subjects of my newest pieces. Symbolism is also a major component in my thoughts and the design of my art making. It is personal and universal at the same time. I use segments of nature, ornamental architecture and the human body to evoke a visceral response that leads to an emotion reaction. The more traditional pieces are like studies for the more surreal/abstract pieces and the use of color allows expression to take on a different mood.
My new work is a mix of ingredients that have been put in the blender and the outcome is an eclectic flux of art. Mammals of western North Dakota play an important component in my art as I am constantly studying an observing their habits and how they have been changed or modified for the needs and wants of human activity. My work is about creating a dialogue between myself, the artwork, and to the viewer.
“I Will Glow Like a Bison” by Dakota Noot
DAKOTA NOOT
There is nothing plain about the Great Plains. Rural life can be fantastical and vibrant, which I reflect with fluorescent and metallic colors. I specifically use farm animals, pets, and insects from my background in North Dakota. The animals, like the people, have distinct personalities and a sense of humor. Although I have moved away from North Dakota to Los Angeles, California, I continue to draw inspiration from where I came from.
I want to explore the connections between animals and humans, but also the links between urban cities and smaller towns. My body of work exists in dialogue with both my current home and my former one in North Dakota, which should never be overlooked.
Ultimately, humans are animals. My work collapses and blends the differences between species, fusing animals with the human body. This process can be comical or violent, verging on mutation or caricature. I want to bring out the animalistic or primal nature of humans, as silly as that can be. On the other hand, assigning human-like qualities to animals gives them empathy beyond eating them. My work plays out like fantasy or science fiction stories, bringing North Dakota and its animals as main characters who won’t be sidelined.