Limp Voyeur in a Humid Landscape – Dominick di Meo

Currently showing at the Thomas Dane Gallery, Limp Voyeur in a Humid Landscape is mostly work from the 1960s from the reclusive American painter Dominic di Meo, now in his 80s. Intriguing titles such as Limp Voyeur in a Humid Landscape and Study for a Used Deck of Cards give clues to di Meo’s odd sense of humour.

Restrained and careful use of collage and relief techniques characterise these mixed media paintings. Simple rubbing techniques give textures, which contrast with deep block colours and emphasise head shapes and figures.

Di Meo’s recurring themes are limbs and cutlery, and strange little button or pod-like faces. The artist employs newspaper images to create something like a subverted Victorian decoupage, with legs morphing into objects and plates spouting hands. A sparse use of stencilled white paint adds pattern, and overall the works create a disembodied world of objects floating through spaces like dreams.

These works require a second look to unpick the subtle and almost hidden imagery. They are hard to isolate in the 60s, as they seem to show art concerns from several decades. Di Meo’s aesthetic is individualistic and convincing.

The exhibition is effective, revolving around dreams and nightmares, and the bizarre humour that can emerge from the subconscious.

Verdict: ••••

Eleanor MacFarlane

Limp Voyeur in a Humid Landscape: Dominick di Meo is at Thomas Dane Gallery until 13^th April 2013. For further information visit here.