Meet Zachary Dobbins | Artist & Gallery Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zachary Dobbins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zachary, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
With an early interest in the arts, but a lack of holding on to what it was about the arts that I loved, it wasn’t until I learned about the strange, explorative world of contemporary art throughout my undergrad study that I knew this was what I was going to pursue. Seeing the experimental works of Chris Burden and other early contemporary artists solidified an effective way for me to convey my conceptual interest through the arts. As a politically active, and interested person, sculpture and installation was a natural way for me to work through these political and social narratives and attempt to understand rather than offer an answer. Much of my work investigates my nuanced relationship with firearms, religion, and other power structures present within America.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My artwork is not limited to one medium, style, or genre. After discovering the expansive world of contemporary sculpture, many of the ways I represent my work came naturally. My work spans a scope of politically engaged artworks interested in power dynamics that directly relate to their relationship with Americana with a slightly comedic twist.

Power places each of us in a position of control or subordination to the events happening around us. My work takes interest in the global use of power whether it be in the form of male identity, mass production, exploitative use of religion, or the American Dream. With an emphasis placed on issues stemming from, firearms, safety, and comfort, the varied use of sculpture engages the viewer through the alteration of found objects by mechanical systems.

Balancing a refined aesthetic and technical ingenuity, known objects’ functions are altered. Much of my work relies on the object’s inherent meaning as a foundation to then later build on. In many cases, the objects’ utility is then altered through the use of mechanical equipment like engine hoists, motors, and other programmed electronics to change their original function or operation. Calling on the viewers’ relation to the dynamic symbols within the works to critique the use of power at play.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I were to have a weekend with a friend in San Diego there are a few places that really jump out as must-visits. While San Diego can seem to have a less engaged art crowd, there are some key world-class spaces around the city that combat this conception. It is always worth it to trolley hop from gallery to gallery, and to museums around town. The best art spaces around town would definitely have to be MCASD downtown and in La Jolla, ICA and MoPA in Balboa, and the Bread & Salt spaces in Barrio Logan. If you’re looking for a good bite to eat I would definitely consider stopping in La Jolla for an amazing night of fine dining and rooftop bars that overlook the ocean.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am interested in shouting out Barbara Freeman and BFree Studio. As a recent graduate from Florida State University, where I received my Bachelors in Fine Arts, I moved to San Diego with the single goal of working within the art world in any position I could find as I continue my personal practice. I was given the amazing opportunity to work for Barbara Freeman as the Gallery manager at BFree Studio located in La Jolla CA. In this position I have been given the opportunity to work directly with emerging artist to promote, hang, and curate their exhibitions. On top of this I have curated several shows that pull directly from San Diego’s amazing pool of young emerging artists.

Website: ZachDobbinsArt.com

Instagram: ZachDobbinsArt