Pacific Northwest Artist Michael Florin Dente’s Work Commemorating an American Hero
This year, Village Frame & Gallery is looking at the wider body of work that comprises the Pacific Northwest art legacy. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook as we explore art and artists from across the region.
The Dream is an 8-foot tall bronze statue by Michael Florin Dente that focuses on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and themes of equality, freedom, and justice, portrayed by three allegorical figures:
– A white man with his sleeves rolled up, who symbolizes working Americans stepping up to support equality, freedom, an justice;
– A woman wading ashore, who symbolizes our immigrant culture and their their faith in the freedom of America;
– And a little girl, just releasing Dr. King’s coattails, who symbolizes the “letting go” required when one is called away to join a struggle for the common good.
The artist, Michael Florin Dente, says he has been a sculptor since his pre-school days when he created whole worlds out of clay. He was a faculty member of Department of Fine Arts at the University of Portland from 1981 to 1985. His work is exhibited, commissioned, and collected internationally. You can see more of his work on his website and around the Pacific Northwest.
This week, as we commemorate the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr., visit The Dream — a part of our Pacific Northwest Art Legacy — at the intersection of NE Holladay and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, outside the Oregon Convention Center.
Love art by Pacific Northwest Artists? You’ll love Village Frame & Gallery!
Exhibits are open to the public, at no charge, Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm, at 7808 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219.