Painting the metaphysical
Danie Wood is a contemporary abstract artist.
Where does your mind go when it wanders?
This is what abstract artist Danie Wood captures in her paintings, “where a cloud vaporizes before your eyes and you realize that the viscosity of paint is all that is really there.”
Now based in Vancouver Island, Canada, Wood was born in London and earned her BFA at York University, studying under Ronald Bloore. “Influenced by Tak Tenabe, Kiefer and Rothko, Wood stresses both the physical reality of landscape and its psychological amplitude.”
Putting oil and silver paint on wood, Wood’s pieces are critiques of contemporary ideas of identity, change, and transformation. Some works have drips of silver paint that elongate the vertical composition. Using the texture of the wood to her advantage, the organic curves peaking through the blocks of color add dimension to the stark form of a landscape.
Contrasted by her more linear work, Wood uses bold strokes to create raised texture. Each piece is seemingly an extension of her mind on any given day as she takes in the world around her, using it as her inspiration.
For many artists, their work space is an extension of their work. Wood’s painting technique results in a lot of paint ending up on the studio floor, and each new work leaves its mark on the space.
As the art world evolves, Wood evolves with it, fascinated by how people behave in a digital world. She writes,
“My digital work is an echo of our contemporary culture. I am also interested in “set” culture inspired by the recent evolution of NFTs into the market of art and how it has instigated collecting, owning, and first-in behaviour. We seem to suffer from a psychological human condition – seemingly imperfect, “fallen” or corrupted selves – which results in our need for competitive, selfish, and obsessive behaviour. Ideas of commerce, decadence, immediacy, instant gratification, disconnection and emotional connection become topics of discussion in this work.
Language and rhythm are still key to this composition. However, the computer is able to articulate its own language. Each pixel is rendered by an algorythm. I hit a keystroke not always knowing the end result. The making of the art is almost like a symbiotic relationship.”
Follow her on Instagram @daniewoodart for updates on new pieces and upcoming exhibitions and explore her website here to see a full portfolio of work.