Daniel Sinclair
Daniel Sinclair’s vibrant and abstract compositions engage the viewer in a personal journey in which they are encouraged to question their perception of color, formality, symbolism and narrative.
Watching You, (side view), plexiglass and mixed materials, 17" x 27" x 2 1/4", 2020
PP: How did you know you wanted to pursue an art practice?
DS: My interest in art was initially ignited around the age of 5 when a dear uncle (who is happily still among us) during a happy family get together showed me a very simple way to draw a fish. I was instantly enchanted and drew this fish on every possible surface including my clothing and other people’s clothing, floors, ceilings, and walls. Needless to say, my newfound passion was not fully appreciated by family members. This idea of a simple way to capture and express feelings and ideas through a simple symbol has engaged me ever since and has inspired me to pursue many different
Her, plexiglass and mixed materials, 12" x 14" x 2 1/4", 2020
PP: What do you aim to say through your work?
DS: I have to open another dialogue about what is art. The answer has to be seen through a personal lens. Each artist gets to define what they think should be considered art. There are those who view it as a way to illustrate a narrative, those who feel that it is a political position, those who think art is merely a product. I have two thoughts about that: my self-expression generally falls within the definition of sculpture so I am producing objects as opposed to 2D images which offers certain opportunities and limits, but ultimately its the production of things, and I believe in the mastery of a certain level of skill necessary to produce an object. An object which is crudely made is not necessarily more or less expressive; the artist merely needs sufficient skill to express the artist’s intent. Sometimes, as in my case, I needed to master many skills and I dedicated many years of effort to acquire a mastery of typical Western European traditional skills (i.e. drawing, sculpting, stonework, steel forging, bronze casting, etc.). However, none of this necessarily results in successful art practice; it is merely a better box of tools. From my viewpoint now, I think one should try to focus on only the skills needed for self-expression (i.e. Van Gogh did not need to carve marble like Michelangelo). To answer the question what do I mean to say through my work, my artwork seeks to engage many formal challenges like composition, design, color, and informal challenges like social engagement and narrative. None of these things could exist without the other for the art that engages me. For example, a skillfully executed painting is not necessarily good art. A crudely executed painting is not necessarily bad art. Therein lies the quandary. At present my goal is to create surprising objects that appear absolutely effortless but charm and engage my viewer.
PP: How do other artists or styles influence your practice?
DS: I am a passionate, fanatical, and avid art consumer. I always have been and I have never had an interest in anything other than that which is termed “fine art” (that includes painting, sculpture, ceramics, music, and literature), all of which influence me constantly and relate to one another and influence the art that I presently create. To give you the simplest example of what I mean: today’s writers often have magic realism as a component, today’s musicians have a vast opportunity electronically to create new sounds, and artists have an unlimited palette from which to draw upon, I utilize all of this and it affects everything that I make.
Lily, plexiglass and mixed materials, 12" x 14" x 2 1/4", 2020
PP: What role does technology and social media play in your practice?
DS: This question is probably the most revealing, as I was trained and lived most of my life without the current technologies. When I was young, the most advanced technology was the typewriter, the television set, and the telephone. The advent of the computer and social media has completely transformed my thinking about creating art. I am a passionate web surfer and I am completely charmed and sometimes delighted in the various discoveries that I encounter browsing the internet and it has definitely stimulated my artistic practice. Since my partner and I have been operating 5-50 Gallery, we are obliged to stay current and sometimes, we hope, ahead of the newest trends in fine art, which is ever stimulating.
