Painter of abstracts on a large scale, born in north Wales. He did a foundation course at Cardiff College of Art, 1980–1, then an honours degree in fine art, painting, at Chelsea School of Art, 1984–7, completing his master’s degree in painting at Royal College of Art, 1987–9. Dawson won a David Murray Studentship in 1988. He exhibited in group shows from the mid-1980s, including Young Masters at Solomon Gallery, 1987; The Abstract Connection at Flowers East, 1989; and at Cooling Gallery, 1991. In 1989 he was given an Artist of the Day solo show at Flowers East, chosen by Joe Tilson.