Dawn Csutoros is a contemporary Australian artist who shows nationally and internationally across Europe, Asia and North America.

Her art moves fluidly between painting, works on paper, video and sound, exploring notions of time and space on universal and existential levels. Csutoros works as much in the register of the subconscious as of form, aiming at something experienced before it is understood. As writer Celia Lendis put it, the work is “to be felt with our insides.”

Csutoros’s practice is intuitive, but grounded in research and experimentation, influenced by meditation and Daoism, (with it’s underlying tenet of the harmony of opposites), the abstract expressionist and colour field movements, a deep connection with the natural world, and her inquiry into quantum mechanics.

She has travelled and exhibited extensively, and undertaken artist residencies across Asia and Europe, even having the honour of receiving a blessing ceremony from Tibetan Buddhist monks in Rebkong.

Csutoros’ art is not only a formalist practice, she also responds to contemporary concerns, creating and managing cultural, community and public art projects at both local and international levels. Exploring issues as diverse as the environment, health and intercultural dialogue.

Dawn’s practice has drawn media coverage across Australia, Europe and China, and her work is held in collections around the world.

artist statement

For me, art is a contemplative practice, where the communication of an idea is an act of suggestion, an invitation to journey deeper into myself, a portal into the Mysterious.

It is process oriented: time slows down, and painting becomes an active meditation.

My paintings offer spaces to feel and experience. Any narrative or meaning lies within the viewer’s experience, unique to each individual. I love the way colours and light, forms and edges, volume and materiality, can evoke emotions in positive ways: how paintings are able to touch and heal the human soul and generate positivity and balance on deep levels.

Since many years, I have also been a practicing healer. Due to my own past health conditions, I was left to search for alternate means of achieving wholistic balance. By integrating my learnings from Daoism, quantum sciences, the natural world, teachings from spiritual leaders and healers, and my own intuitive insights, I have created a practice which works on a cellular and quantum level for the client’s wellbeing.

This same restorative energy enters the artworks I create, so that the paintings themselves become batteries of healing.

The artworks have a  sensuality  to them, from the mediums used such as gold leaf, natural pigments and ancient coal. Also from the colours themselves, with seductive gradations of tones and textures. Together creating multiple readings of time and space. Opening up doorways within the mind and heart of the viewer and allowing their reconnection to deeper knowings.

Sound adds another dimension. Harmonic toning has been used throughout history and within many cultures as a means to connect with Spirit and a powerful form of healing. I often use my voice in my video installations as the soundscape, allowing the harmonic tones to create an immersive experience.

The complexity of the compositions lie within the simplicity of form, both visually and aurally. The process is one of research, experimentation and ultimately of surrendering to the mysterious.

I believe that by venturing into the deeper levels of our own beings, we are able to touch the Universal; Jung’s archetypal and collective subconscious, an holonic universe. From here the viewer is invited to create their own dialogue with the works, and, I hope is also touched by the mystery from whence it was created.