Danny Powell studied at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the late 1990s where he benefited from viewing the museum's collection on a daily basis. It was here he developed a strong interest in painting from the 1940s and 1950s, which became critical in his development as a painter. An encounter with the painting "The Earth is a Man" by Roberto Matta changed his direction entirely. In 1999, his emphasis shifted from portraiture and figure drawing to non-objective abstraction. The decision to move to abstraction was solidified by a trip to Philadelphia in 2002 with the meeting of outstanding abstract painter, Ellen Priest.

Powell's art presents a distinctive visual reality that blends different styles such as Fauvism, Art Nouveau, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism with elements of Classic POP and Arte Povera. The work is painterly, organic, and features bright color, with all-over spaced compositions. One example of this synthesis is a work titled "The Dangerous Limit" created in the summer of 2001.

In 2006, Danny co-founded the Chicago based artist collective known as the Infidel Group with the poet and artist Jono Tosch (creator of the Idiot Hero). The goal of the group is uniting Chicago's artists and public through laid-back exhibitions in comfortable alternative spaces. The group members work collaboratively to put on unique events that feature artwork and live music (A Light Sleeper) in a welcoming and positive atmosphere. Infidel Group strives for rooted community based events, partnering with both local businesses, and community focused international organizations, to share the benefit of exposure. Modeled in the vein of art groups of the early 1900s such as Die Brucke, Infidel Group members share an enthusiasm for engagement, professionalism and balance amongst contemporary artists.

Since the summer of 2008, Danny has been collaborating with Kevin Lustrup and Terry Swafford exploring new techniques. (check it out) Kevin's influence includes the use of oil paint, stencils and spray paint, as well as larger formats, tattoos and graffiti culture, and a renewed interest in imagery. Frequent trips to the Art Institute of Chicago in 2009 have stimulated research into Asian art, specifically painting and sculpture from India and the Himalayan region.




slideshow music by: A Light Sleeper

FULL ARCHIVE

"Jung believed that a human being is inwardly whole, but that most of us have lost touch with important parts of our selves. Through listening to the messages of our dreams and waking imagination, we can contact and reintegrate our different parts. The goal of life is individuation, the process of coming to know, giving expression to, and harmonizing the various components of the psyche. If we realize our uniqueness, we can undertake a process of individuation and tap into our true self."

Web Design by Andrew Tibbetts

Bio Painting by Terry Swafford

Photos of Artwork by Aubrey Boonstra

Influences from the Art Institute of Chicago Collection

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BUZZ


Revelation
acrylic, spray-paint, oil, and charcoal on canvas
60" x 180"
2009

FULL SIZE

Contemporary Influences


David Keel
Untitled
acrylic on canvas
74" x 25"
2008


Angelbert Metoyer
2 Daughters of Right
coal, oil, plaster and poly
48" x 60"
2006


Exhibition History

05/2010 "Full Circle" House Cafe, DeKalb IL

12/2009 "Pre-New Year's Eve Party", DeKalb IL

10/2009 House Cafe, DeKalb IL

09/2009 Wooden Box Theater Company, House Cafe, DeKalb IL

08/2009 Borders Books and Music, DeKalb IL

08/2009 "Cornfest" w/Joe Dizillo and The Sweeps, DeKalb IL

05/2009 "Joe Dizillo Abstract Clouds Cd Release" Dekalb IL

10/2008 Chicago Art Collectives Group Show @ Parts and Labor, Chicago IL

06/2008 "The First Story", Chicago IL

06/2008 "Infidel Group Summer Solstice Show",Chicago IL

04/2008 "Tags and Ink" Parts and Labor Show, Chicago IL

12/2007 Holiday Show w/Kevin Lustrup, Naperville, IL.

10/2007 "Art Nerd Free Trade Show" Delilahs, Chicago IL.

09/2007 "Fall Down" Infidel Group Collaberative Show, Chicago IL

08/2007 Solo Show BEBOP Korean BBQ, Chicago IL

07/2007 Roots Caberet Salon Opening, Chicago IL

06/2007 "Infidel Group Show" BEBOP Korean BBQ, Chicago IL

05/2007 "Down the Street" Infidel Group Open House, Chicago IL

10/2006 "Mod-Podge" Morpho Gallery Group Show, Chicago IL

09/2006 Around the Coyote Fall Arts Festival, Chicago IL

07/2006 Group Show, Tojo Gallery, Chicago IL

12/2005 Chicago Mondo at Trevia, Chicago IL

10/2005 "An Uninterrupted View" Group Show, Morpho Gallery, Chicago IL

07/2005 "Soul Candy" Group Show, Hot-House Gallery, Chicago IL

02/2005 Around The Coyote Winter Arts Festival, Chicago IL

11/2004 Northside Cafe, Chicago IL

07/2004 Lemmings, Chicago IL

02/2004 Fulton Street Collective Group Open House, Chicago IL

01/2004 "Art of This World" Benefit Show, Adler Planetarium, Chicago

03/2003 Black Beetle Bar and Grill, Chicago IL

01/2003 Northside Cafe, Chicago IL

05/2002 Group Show at Red Light Productions, Chicago IL

12/2001 Leishas Private Show, Glen Ellyn IL