Daniel McKinley
Biography
I do not wish to be like any other
I cannot imagine one thinking the way that I do
There is no mold that I will fit
My work is seeing the world
Through my eyes
What I try to accomplish
Is to give the viewer
A way of looking
From a different vantage.
We often look
And take things for granted
My wish
Take a look
And come to a conclusion
Think about what you are seeing
There is always more.
I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of defining myself through art. Addicted by the creative process.
Currently living and working in New York City.
What is your background?
I chose to live an alternative life
To speak the unspoken
To question my beliefs
To probe for deeper meanings
The Dreamer
Growing up I would find myself never satisfied with were I was.
Always looking for a way to escape.
Knowing that there was more beyond the world that I was living in.
My escape would be through books
Through writing
Through going to museums looking at art.
I found my escape through the world of imagination.
What does it mean to win the Collector’s Prize?
As an artist it means a lot.
My work is very personal to me.
Going through my creative process I am never sure where each painting will take me. When the paintings are finished I would often ask myself how I got here. Not sure if my work would be liked or understood.
This prize tells me that my work is not in vain.
What do you think is the role of art in this world?
The role of art in this world is to spur thought
To start meaningful conversations
To encourage people to imagine
What would it be if you could change one thing about the art world?
I would like the art world to be more accessible and not so exclusive.
in today’s society people view art as being elitist. Something that they cannot relate to. Art should be accessible to everyone.
What are your most significant professional achievements?
That I have had my work seen throughout the world, from New York to China. To have my work shown at The Salon in Paris, France. Le Société Nationale des Beaux Arts, which was established in 1861.
This was the most humbling experience of my life.
Being a student of art history, this was a surreal moment. Not once, but three times.
What do you wish to tell the viewers about your work explicitly? What do you hope to inspire with your art work?
I would like to encourage the viewer to look beyond what they see in front of them, to look beyond the façade. In my work I will show you a world beyond worlds. Our world is complex. We will show you we think your need to see, but there is always more that lies behind the walls.
What advice would you give to the upcoming generation of artists?
To have confidence in their work. To have confidence in themselves.
To have the confidence to know that there will always be someone out there who will understand.
Don’t be afraid.
In what direction would you like to see your career go in the next five years?
To always imagine
To always dream.
Country USA
