BIOGRAPHY
Emile Dillon II
Born: Philadelphia, PA., 1943
Emile grew up in New Jersey in a family of artists. His grandfather was Frank Joseph Dillon a famous 20th century painter and his uncle Felix Vargas was a famous Latin American painter. Emile started painting at an early age watching both his grandfather and uncle. In the middle 1970’s Emile started working for the Eastman Kodak Company and also became a photojournalist and editorial photographer. During the course of his career he photographed many famous people and traveled extensively in the United States, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In 1998, Emile went back to his first love, painting, studying at The School of Visual Arts and the Art Students League in New York City.
Emile Dillon's work transports viewers to a distinct and particular setting. His work varies from movie theater signs to restaurants or hotels, each defined by an exact moment, like a photograph. Dillon's 2016 acrylic painting Rae's depicts a specific yet accessible scene, Rae's Restaurant on Pico Boulevard and 29th Street in Santa Monica. The piece portrays a common Los Angeles image--a sunny day in fall, indicated by the brown leaves of the tree behind the sign, perhaps mid-afternoon. Dillon transforms an ordinary, possibly mundane moment into art. Recognizable signs and logos become revolutionized. Dillon's bright, eccentric and playful use of color is not only pleasing to the eye, but is also an identifiable trait for Dillon's body of work. Vibrant sky blues emphasize bright red or yellow signs across United States cities.
Dillon's work is capable of grounding viewers into a scene. Whether that scene portrays the Thunderbird Inn in Savannah, Georgia or a Duane Reade at the Snapple Theater Center on the corner of 50th Street and Broadway—Dillon's locations encourage viewers to relate their own experiences to his works. Viewers may find it easy to connect to his work because Dillon chooses clear subject matters—logos and signs—that are easily identifiable. For instance, California inhabitants may connect with Dillon's 2015 acrylic In-N-Out Burger, a chain of fast-food restaurants which directly correspond to a typical California experience. Dillon's 2006 acrylic Avalon distinctly nods to a Miami way of life with a photorealist portrayal of the Avalon Hotel.
Dillon is drawn to subjects that are strong in geometric, graphic shape. His 2014 acrylic The Three Cokes demonstrates Dillon's use of logos but also structure. Although Coke cans are by nature sharply defined, he does not shy away from cans' starkness. Placed upon a graphic and structured table, the Coke cans reflect each defined shape. Therefore, the logo is not only the main subject matter, but ultimately dominates the canvas.
It's easy to connect to Dillon's work because he presents subject matter with approachability and playfulness. Perhaps you have walked or driven past Rae's, The Avalon, or even recall going into the Duane Reade on 50th and Broadway. Dillon presents a snapshot of a particular moment in time, and transforms it into fine art for viewers not only to visually enjoy, but to connect with for themselves.
Mirabelle Alan
June 2017
PUBLICATIONS
“ Down Memory Lane”, American Art Collector Magazine, July 2019, Pages- 142, 143.
“ Cityscapes”, American Art Collector Magazine, February 2019, Pages- 79, 82.
“ Cityscapes”, American Art Collector Magazine, February 2018, Pages- 64, 65, 66, 67.
“ ART X NINE”, The Palm Coast Observer, Arts and Culture Section, January 28, 2016, Page-2B-5B.
“ Hot Diggity: A New Jersey Tale”, The New York Times, September 25, 2013, Page-D7
“Local Artist To Show at Kuumba”, Flagler/Palm Coast News-Tribune, July 21, 2012, Page-6A.
“Neighbor Of The Week”, The Palm Coast Observer, July 21, 2012, Page-3.
“Picture This”, The Palm Coast Observer, November 18, 2010, Page-3.
“Local Artist Featured In Area Exhibit-As Time Goes By”, Palm Coast Neighborhood News, February 2010, Page-11.
“Dillon To Be Featured In Daytona Beach Art Exhibit” The Flagler Times, February 6, 2010, Page-1.
“My View Of The Arts”, The Palm Coast Courier, April 2009, Page-18.
“Turnout Spectacular For Art In The Park” Flagler/Palm Coast News-Tribune, March 9, 2005, Page-3B.
“Art Brings Welcome Change From Storms” The Flagler Times, September 25, 2004, Page-2A.
“Art Exhibit At Library Features Works By Dillon” East Orange Record, March 13, 2003, Page-7.
“East Orange Public Library Presents The Emile Dillon II Art Exhibition” Local Talk Weekly, March 12, 2003, Page-4.
“Emile Dillon II Will Show Art” East Orange Record, March 6, 2003, Page-2.
“Emile Dillon II Exhibits at Patterson Museum” The Montclair Times, October 31, 2002, Page-B-5.
“Resident To Have Art Work Shown” The Orange Transcript, October 10, 2002, Page-8.
“Dillon Artwork On Exhibition” The Montclair Times, June 7, 2001, Page B-3.
“Dillon To have Paintings Exhibited in Watchung” Orange Transcript, April 5, 2001, Page-3.
“Dillon Receives Proclamation In Honor Of Exhibit”, East Orange Record, May 21, 1992, Page-6.
“Photographer Exhibits Work”, Orange Transcript, April 23, 1992
“Newark Museum Tries To Right Oversight By Presenting Works Of 33 Black Artists”, The Star Ledger,
January 20, 1990, Page-18
“Emile Dillon”, N.J.I.T. Magazine, 1989, Page-10.
“Local Photographer Shows His Work”, by Samuel Williams Jr., East Orange Record, March 16, 1989, Page-2.
“Area Artists Honored For Contributions”, by John Marino, East Orange Record/Orange Transcript,
November 23, 1988, Page-5.
“Visions Of Photographer Exhibit In E.O.”, The New Jersey Afro-American, February 6, 1988, Page-8.
“Visions Exhibits Local Artists Work [sic]”, East Orange Record, January 28, 1988, Page-5.
“What’s Going On”, Essex Journal, March 12, 1987, Page-15.
“Emile Dillon Will Exhibit His Urban Landscapes At EOPL”, East Orange Record, March 12, 1987, Page-1.
“Local Photographer Exhibits At EOPL”, West Orange Chronicle, February 27, 1986, Page-14.
BOOKS
‘The Woven Tale Press” Selected Works 2015 Page-56, 57.
Hollingsworth Gallery 2009 Annual Catalogue of Exhibitions Page-10, 56.
“A Celebration Of Art”, The Flagler County Art League, PhotoGraphics Publishing, Page-32, 33.
AWARDS AND HONORS
2nd Place of Show, Flagler County Art league, (2013).
1st Place of Media, Flagler County Art league, (2011).
Judges Choice, The Art league of Daytona, (2011).
Honorable Mention, Flagler County Art league, (2011).
1st Place, “Sunday Afternoon with the Artists”, Flagler County Art league, (2010).
1st Place, “76th Annual Juried Exhibit”, The Art league of Daytona, (2007).
Certificate of Award , Equal Award of Excellence, “Landscape Show”, St Augustine Art Association, (2007).
1st Place, “Sunday Afternoon with the Artists”, Flagler County Art league, (2006).
Best of Show, “Ashe IV”, African American Cultural Society, (2006).
2nd Place, “Art In The Park”, Flagler County Art League, (2005).
2nd Place, “Sunday Afternoon with the Artists”, Flagler County Art league, (2004).
1st Place, “Ashe IV”, African American Cultural Society, (2004).
3rd Place, “Art In The Park”, Flagler County Art League, (2004).
Award of Merit, “Celebration of the Arts”, Flagler County Council for the Arts, (2003).
Certificate of Award 5th Place, “Spring Members Show”, St Augustine Art Association, (2003).
Honorable Mention, “Annual Spring Art Show”, Millennium Art Guild at Palm Coast, (2003).
Proclamation for Emile R. Dillon II Day, Office of the Mayor, City of Orange Township, N. J.,
(April 28, 1992).
Certificate for Outstanding Photographic Achievement, Montclair Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, (1992).
Citation-New Jersey General Assembly for Outstanding Photographic Work, (1989).
Certificate of Appreciation (National Artist Week) (1988).
