Latitude Art Gallery
Danno
Danno is an emerging artist based in British Columbia, Canada. His technique of rusting steel to create art has generated much interest. His weathered works seduce people to take a closer look, to make sense of what they are seeing.
He describes himself as “chronically curious about the world” and draws on childhood experiences and adult dreams as the catalyst for his works. Danno is as curious about the pioneers of the wild west to why bees have yellow and black stripes on their bums.
His works convey an earnest simplicity which contrast the complex creative journey Danno has traveled in developing his unique techniques. The most common things he can be heard saying about his work are “Yes, it’s really made of rust” and “Yes, you can touch it”.
Primary influences in his work include having grown up in both Canada and Australia and having lived in large cities and small rural towns.
Predominantly created on steel, my art is about weather, about snow, rain, and sun, about how these elements work together to create rust which I work into textures, shapes, and forms. I’m completely smitten with the look and feel of rust and my technique of corroding metal seems to have generated a lot of interest.
I find inspiration in the natural forces around me. From the weather systems that co-create with me to the plant life of the West Kootenays where I live. By rusting steel, I am able to create works that have elements of organic chaos about them. No two pieces ever corrode the same.
My process begins with a steel panel. I then protect some areas leave other areas exposed. The panel is then placed outdoors to be weathered. Depending on the season, snow and rain corrode the panel resulting in beautiful rusted colors ranging from rich chocolate browns, burnt oranges and vibrant yellows. Lastly, each piece is sealed with a protective spray."