1. If you weren’t an artist, what else would you be?
Probably a painters assistant…general DIY person or arsey film critic.
2. Can you tell us more about your work and what are the main ideas you would like to express?
It orientates around portraiture, facial expression, assemblage and photorealism. Hopefully my work’s colourful, referential in technique, doesn’t come across too pompous/pretentious and makes you want to look closer.
3. How do you start the process of making work?
Usually quite studiously, I tend to treat things like a brief more than a ‘feeling’ and research things that interest me, then work on some thumbnail sketches and record my ideas in my sketchbook. I often have to see researched images/paintings in person to adopt the energy to start actually painting though.
4. Do you consider the viewer, when making your work?
I do, but I’d be lying if their needs are my primary goal. Not in a selfish way but I like to think over consideration for the viewer can hinder what sort of work you aim to make, I enjoy the idea that I might possibly be creating something that people haven’t seen or experienced before.
5. Name 3 artists that have inspired your work?
This changes all the time but the obvious technical painters like Chuck Close, sculptors ala Ron Mueck and multi disciplined artists like Paul McCarthy.
6. Name 3 of your least favourite artists.
Honestly can’t say. I’m not into creating hip hop style ‘Beef’ between artists, plus I don’t have a gang to back me up so it’d be a mistake.
7. What defines something as a work of art?
When it has an unique sense of identity, an idea and an aim.
8. In times of austerity, do you think art has a moral obligation to respond topically?Not at all, I can’t think of many artists I like that are overtly topical or political.
9. Anytime, any place – which artist’s body would you most like to inhabit?
Creepy.
10. What is your favourite ‘ism’?
Realism
11. What was the most intelligent thing that someone said or wrote about your work?Finding it very hard to answer this for some reason, I don’t get many write ups…
12. And the dumbest?
“Its Animal Farm Meets Zippo Circus!”
13. Which artists would you most like to rip off, sorry, I mean appropriate as a critique of originality and authorship?
Antoni Tapies, Hermann Nitsch or Jenny Saville – Not sure what that says about me.
14. Do you care what your art costs? State your reasons!
I think yes, I sure it’s not without some worth. Plus stretchers don’t grow on trees…
…Wait a minute…
15. If Moma and the Tate and the Pompidou wanted to acquire one of your works each, which would you want them to have?
I’d like them to take something from my new body of work, or I’d like to do something especially for them. They’d offer a freedom that most other galleries, as much as they’d like to, cannot offer.
16. What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on a new body of work for my second Solo show at Londons StolenSpace Gallery in November. This time I’m incorporating an element of Sculpture into the show as well as a slightly more grounded take on traditional portraiture in a way I haven’t attempted before, very excited about it! Details on the show and insights into the work can be found on my newly created Twitter page www.twitter.com/arthdaniels and my facebook page www.facebook.com/arthdaniels. I’m also looking into collaborations with a few close friends and fellow artists by the end of the year, as well as completing a few private commissions on the side, so very busy.
www.arthdaniels.com
www.twitter.com/arthdaniels
www.facebook.com/arthdaniels
www.stolenspace.com/
