Falls Church Arts: Dave Curtis’s ‘Tao Emoji’ Wins Juror’s Choice Award in ‘Faces & Figures’ Show

At the meet-the-artists gallery reception for the opening of Falls Church Arts’s “Faces & Figures” show Saturday evening April 19 at 700-B, W. Broad St., exhibition Juror Teresa Oaxaca named Washington, D.C. native Dave Curtis’s “Tao Emoji” the Juror’s Choice awardee for the new all-media arts exhibition “focusing on faces and figures,” running through June 1.

Curtis’s award-winner – an acrylic, 24” x 24,” painting conveys a Taoist Yin and Yang of “Life/Death/Rebirth.” Its dual identity emoji-face starkly contrasts, in the same figure, a sunshiney visage emitting rays of warmth and fire against a cold blue moonish skull with one eye peering out at the viewer. The painting's viewer is tempted to contemplate the centrality of death in the cycles of life’s renewal and regeneration inherent in all living beings. "In the lower right and upper left corners, could those be teeming spermatozoa on their life-giving journey?," a gallery-goer might wonder.

"For the Jurors Award, I deliberated over the vibrant painting of a cartoon moon or sun, its face revealing a playful skull within,” Juror Oaxaca said. “I was torn between its bold creativity and whimsical charm, unsure if it swayed too far into the macabre or perfectly balanced light." 

Defining himself at times as a “symbolic and surrealist” painter interested in "post-apocalyptic" themes, Curtis – who's been painting since the 1980s – draws influence from the absurdist Czech writer Franz Kafka and the master surrealist Spanish painter, Salvador Dali.

His works are frequently imbued with rich layers of symbolism drawing upon his deep understanding of mythology and history – from colors representing particular emotions, feelings, or movements, to eyes representing “awareness,” or “knowledge,” or teeth sometimes even representing “unthinking consumption.”

Dave Curtis has “called the Falls Church area of Northern Virginia home for over six decades,” his artist website bio says. “He earned a B.A. in Studio Art from Virginia Tech and has exhibited extensively throughout the East Coast in both group and solo shows.”

“Today, Curtis maintains a public studio at Jefferson Street Artists within Art and Frame of Falls Church, where visitors can engage directly with his creative process,” his bio continues. “Curtis’s body of work delves into profound themes, including history, literature, religion, and mythology. In recent years, he has turned his focus to pressing global issues, crafting a series of thought-provoking pieces on climate change and global warming. These works envision a post-apocalyptic world shaped by environmental collapse, offering viewers a striking glimpse into a possible future.”

Curtis’s art often “ventures into the political sphere, reflecting current events with sharp wit and commentary. Surreal in nature, [his] creations are rich in symbolism, drawing on Jungian archetypes, metaphors, and allegories. His canvases teem with strange, almost Lovecraftian creatures, layered with irony and dark humor, making his work both intellectually engaging and visually arresting.”

“A warm and wonderful evening celebrating all the amazing artists in Falls Church Arts’ Faces & Figures show,” FCA posted yesterday on Instagram. “So thankful to everyone who came out and [for] our juror Teresa Oaxaca.” 

Here's a delightful video of the artist Dave Curtis describing some of his gallery works with former F.C. City Mayor Dave Tarter:

“Faces & Figures” runs now through June 1 at the gallery of Falls Church Arts at 700-B West Broad St. Admission is free. The gallery is open Tuesdays–Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Artworks will also be available online at https://www.fallschurcharts.org. All pieces are offered for sale and can be purchased at the gallery or on the website. For more information, please email info@fallschurcharts.org.

By Christopher Jones