by Nancy Chang
Daily Lobo
When meeting Dan Noyes, a TV production technician at UNM's law school, it becomes immediately obvious he is a person who has lived a life that fully embraces the lessons of the little things. He appreciates diversity and is involved in printmaking and photography. He has been highly influenced by Eastern cultures and images in his work and private life and adopted his daughter Sonya from China.
Daily Lobo: Who inspired you to express yourself artistically?
Dan Noyes: Growing up, my parents and art teachers. I took a lot of art classes from a guy named Kelsie Harder. He taught art classes and was also an artist. He had art everywhere, and my mom bought his work. And Merrill Peterson - he was a high school teacher that introduced me to photography and the different techniques of photography. At UNM there were all kinds of teachers, and my learning was vast.
DL: Who got you into Asian art?
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DN: I've always been interested in Asian art. My mother had a woodcut by a modern Japanese artist that was at the house, and seeing that introduced me to Asian style art.
DL: What is it about Eastern religion that fascinates you?
DN: The concepts of unity and harmony and the concept of karma - what goes around comes around.
DL: When did you first go to China?
DN: In the year 2001, to adopt our daughter. We spent two weeks in southern China and three days in Japan.
DL: Did you find any particular differences in your preconceived images of China to what you experienced?
DN: Oh yeah, I expected to see a Maoist communist environment. I expected to see communist propaganda everywhere. Instead I saw billboards for cell phones. I think men were meant to confront both Western and Eastern art. There is a contrast, but I feel that beneath it all, Eastern art has a strong connection to nature and a society that has the imprint of Buddhism and Taoism.
I think that the values of being connected to nature, finding harmony in your life now and honoring your ancestors - those are so strong in Chinese tradition because they've been there for centuries, that even 50 years of communism can't stamp that out.
DL: Why did you and your wife decide to adopt a child from China?
DN: We tried domestic adoption, but it didn't work. The Chinese government makes adoption easier. They are helpful with the adoption process. They were really great.
DL: You described your daughter, who was 10-months old at the time, as a guide while you were in China. Can you describe that?
DN: Part of it was children's instincts are good. If there was something interesting, she would point, smile or laugh to point it out and it would direct me to something interesting.
DL: Has your trip to China changed your art in any way?
DN: I think it made me more appreciative of the nuances of Asian art. Mainly there is a concept in Chinese art that is 'don't over finish something.' Don't be too obsessive. Many times when you're close, you're already there.
DL: Are there any projects you are involved in right now?
DN: I'm always working and making prints. Right now I'm working on some things that are on the theme of a chapel. We'll see where it goes. You never know what will happen.
NC: What would you say to incoming freshmen and students studying at UNM?
DN: Take advantage of everything - your teachers, the libraries, the museums and the cultural events. And sports too, if you like sports. It's rich. Otherwise I wouldn't have worked here for 22 years.
