James Dozier
Artist and Art Collector
“I devote myself to enjoying, and to the extent that I can, promoting art and culture in my community.” –James Dozier
Throughout rolling out’s African American arts series, one theme continues is reoccurring — the depth and breadth of the works being created and collected by African American men and women in Detroit is as varied as are the works themselves. We have over the past month explored the Detroit’s ultra-eclectic art scene and have found that “the made in Detroit” slogan applies to more than automobiles. Another of the Motor City’s local treasures, fine arts photographer James Dozier, spoke with ro about his latest work and his diverse collection. –roz edward
Which came first the artist or the art collector?
The artist. My mom was an artist … and that was the beginning of my interest in art which developed into a love of photography. … And as I got more into it, I came to the realization that this was a medium that one could really use to express how one was feeling. Over the years it [developed] into an interest for painting and drawing and other forms of art including sculpture, and that’s also reflected in my collecting interests.
Is it common for an artist to work in so many different mediums?
Some artists can work in a number of mediums. … As I became interested in exploring abstract imagery, it really got me more into painting and drawing. I admired my artist friends who could paint and draw because they could take an abstract idea and start creating, whereas with photography I would have to try and find something to photograph. … I [decided] that it was taking too long to be able to express what I had in my mind … so that got me interested in exploring painting and melding it with photography.
You combine a digital process with your photography to create your art. How does that work?
I use digital technology, computers and various software to create my work. Sometimes people think a computer is creating the work, but that’s no more true than saying that a paint brush creates the painting, or a pencil creates the drawing. It enables me to use my various image making processes and mate them with the medium.
Who and what works do you collect?
I collect in the areas of photography, sculptures, ceramics, and paintings. Some of the ones who are my favorites are James Van Der Zee and Ansel Adams, and in terms of painting I collect Shirley Woodson Reid, her son Senghor Reid, Carole Walker and Al Loving to name a few.
