Barry (Mandot) Messer

Welcome to my website! My name is Mandot, aka Barry M. Messer and I am a Surrealist by nature and inclination.

My art is a synthesis of the modern and the primitive worlds. I seek to represent and juxtapose these worlds by using imagery and symbols from many times, places, and cultures. I also attempt to make spiritual as well as earthly connections within the context of the visual themes I have in mind. My artistic roots lie in Surrealism and I tend to think in Surrealistic terms. Thus, my paintings may more aptly be thought of as “Dreamscapes”, since Surrealism deals with the subconscious and dream like states of mind.

I generally start with ideas or images that interest me: the Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime, mysterious places such as Chaco Canyon or the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead. More recently Outsider Art and Art Brut have become major interests of mine. I then let my subconscious take over and let it dictate what direction the painting takes and what imagery to use. While this is not always the case, it is an improvisational technique I use frequently and it works for me. At other times I completely plan out a painting. The key is in keeping the work fresh, spontaneous, and alive. However, there is always an element of surprise no matter how well planned a painting may be.

The technique I employ is a dot technique. I started using “the dots” after viewing a show of Australian Aboriginal Art at the Burke Museum on the campus of the University of Washington in 1977. I was impressed by how the dots animated the painting surface, giving the paintings a visual effect that modulation does not. When I first started doing the dots I used pen and ink. However, I soon grew dissatisfied with just working in black and white. I then switched to using gouache, an opaque water color. However, I began to feel that gouache was an impermanent and unstable pigment and eventually made the move to acrylics. Acrylics are still my medium of choice.

I am excited by the world of ideas merged with color, texture, and design. My desire is to have my audience propelled to other realms of thought and possibilities. In doing this I try to elicit a response from the viewer and compel them to reflect upon what they are seeing.

I’ve been a professional artist for over 25 years. My work hangs in many private collections and homes through out the United States.
If you are interested in purchasing my work you may contact me directly through this website or email me at barrymesser@sbcglobal.net.

Saatchi Gallery/Your Gallery

Saatchi Gallery

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