Joshua Daniels

Bio

Joshua Daniels’ paintings are characterised by their depictions of animals, juxtaposing elements and an often-humorous commentary. He finds inspiration in the forms, textures and colours of the natural world and has been heavily influenced by his father, a geologist, who kept exotic animals, reptiles and fish when he was growing up. His paintings aim to provoke thought and encourage the viewer to write their own narrative through that which is alluded to but ultimately undefined.

Joshua Daniels lives and works in South East London and studied Fine Art and Art History at the University of Kent. His works span painting, ceramics, printmaking and digital media and are a part of private collections in Europe, Asia and the US.

Statement

I'm an artist based in South East London, working primarily from a studio on an industrial estate, near the Thames Barrier in Woolwich. I've lived between this area the Kent borders for most of my life, although I spent a few years living on a narrowboat in West London. The experience of living on the water, surrounded by nature, has become a significant source of inspiration in my recent practice. 

There are several recurring animals that appear in my visual language, including tortoises, frogs, and snakes. These stem from my childhood, growing up as the son of an exotic animal keeper and breeder. Whilst I was always fascinated by these animals I also want to convey a sense of uncanny discomfort, even fear, at both their proximity and strangeness. I'm interested in the way artists develop through repeated imagery and try to explore this in my own work; Angus Fairhurst's gorilla drawings and sculptures, Keith Tyson's flower paintings in different styles, Sasha Gordon's self-portraits, and, of course, Louise Bourgeois' iconic spider. 

When I first plan a painting, the colour palette is often influenced by Japanese woodblock prints, particularly the work of Hokusai and Hiroshige. I love the muted, aged look to the colours and I like to contrast these subdued tones with bold, saturated colour. I also take inspiration from Francis Bacon's juxtaposition of rich, primary shades against raw canvas. I will often think about a composition for months, obsessively planning it in my head before finally realising it on canvas - my favourite painting is always the one I'm currently working on. 

Artworks by Joshua Daniels