LAND OF HEROES/ HAND OF ZEROES by Craig Dongoski
Recently, Whitespace Gallery hosted Craig Dongoski’s last exhibition, “Land of Heroes/ Hand of Zeroes. Dongoski has been a full-time professor at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, since 2001.
This exhibition includes abstract drawings of different sizes with symbols and shows how Professor Dongoski has been discovering and expressing the sign in its most straightforward shape throughout his career. Dongoski’s works engage reflections, material, and myth throughout different analyses of the marks. There is something not apparent in his works, which is counting. Gradually starting practice by counting dots, dashes, and circles, is just that simple. His background is in printmaking, which also affects his works. The primary thing that artistic influence from the Roman Opalka, the French artist. Dongoski says, “That is all he did; he was just counting. He always impresses and sticks with me. Counting, repetition, not giving up and these dots became expressions.” Each piece stands alone in the show, showing its abstract integrity, but their closeness and simultaneousness tie them. The exhibition refers to concentrated art practice—studying time, signifying it with materials, using pen, pencil, ink on paper, and wood panel. Each work includes a great diversity of colors and depths. I feel like he explores the possibility of marks, which he magnificently shows his audience what consistency, patience, feeling, imagination, and believing can do.
The World Outside Your Door isn't Real (Only I Am Real)
pen, ink, and colored pencil on paper
Before I say anything specific, the exhibition is inspiring. Seeing the details and diving into pieces in minutes was terrific. Some places, people, or things have an aura. If you know, you know. Craig’s work has an aura that grasps you into the work, and you lose yourself in the details, calming you and asking questions. This is genuinely what I felt when I visited the gallery. “The World Outside Your Door isn't Real (Only I Am Real)” is one of my favorite pieces in the show. The top, the bottom, the lines, the colors, the hues, and the transmissions are amazing. Honestly, the title caught me first. I think it says a lot. It made me think that you can imagine millions of people and doors, and only you, whoever you are, are real. Also, Dongoski, a musical artist fascinated with white noises like those tiny white dizzy dots, feels like a lot of thought disappearing based on sounds simultaneously, which we can visualize the connections between sounds and lines—a perfect 2D technique.
THREE KEY
pen and ink on paper
Every touch made me think. “Three Key”, which key? What are the keys? Words or something else? If I must confess, I did not know I would impress that much because he taught us the technique in class, and we counted, too. Believe me, it is not that easy! Professor Dongoski made us think and work differently, showing us a new path that I never got from the other classes. He is a role model for all of us, not just with his works but also his artist identity.
If you are an artist or art person, you will know what I will say: searching for a style, asking countless questions, and WHY? is the biggest question most of the time—also, wanting freedom regardless of what, and being satisfied with what you have done. I guarantee that, folks! You will feel that even better when you see Craig’s works.
Atlantans, you should stop by to see unique art at Whitespace Gallery. It was great to have the best artists around. Keep in touch; you will be fascinated with what is coming next! Also, every art and artist should get the value that is deserved, like this one, plus, this exhibition was signed in 2025 with its distinctive style, expression, and transmission.
