Duncan McDaniel is a Nashville artist blending disciplines to explore new creative ground. A SCAD alum, he shares his journey through national exhibits and galleries and is currently displayed in the lobby of Bobby Nashville as part of the latest installment of Intersection.
Since graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2006, Duncan McDaniel has embarked on a creative journey covering a wide range through the avenues of painting, drawing, public art and site-specific installations. Through this multi-disciplinary practice, Duncan is always searching for the better artist within himself. This open-ended journey always leads to new and uncharted territories with a plethora of art along the way. Duncan has exhibited in public collections and galleries nationally. You can find him in Nashville, TN living and working alongside his wife and two daughters. Additionally, McDaniel's prints are displayed in the lobby of Bobby Nashville as part of the latest installment of Intersection.
What was the moment you knew you had to pursue art professionally?
One could probably chase that back to when I was a senior in high school, frustratingly getting rejected from one liberal arts college after another. You see, I spent more time drawing and doodling in my notebooks than actually taking notes. As a sort of last-minute quasi-serious effort to just get in somewhere, I applied to art school. And to my surprise, I got into SCAD. At 18 years old, It was one of those pivotal moments in life where my identity took a dramatic shift. I am at this moment a person who takes art making seriously. This was reinforced by the lovely community at art school, and I've really just built on this ever since.
Let’s dive into your creative process. What does a typical day in the studio look like?
I wish I could say I spend 8 hours doing something creative like pushing paint around until I come up with the next breakthrough. But, my actual time is more on the logistical side of things, answering interview questions, cataloging work, applying for commissions, updating/redoing my website/Instagram, coming up with installation solutions, etc. I like to dream that someday I’ll outsource all of those things and then have some time to spend my days being creative. Not making art for other people and unlocking my inner potential. On the other hand, I do thrive with a bit of pressure, and I like an assignment. Left to my own devices with an infinite amount of time and space, I might just chase my tail in the studio.
Are there any common themes you explore in your artwork?
My use of line and color are the signature elements in my work. They are the framework in which I build each piece. Whether it's a painting, sculpture or site-specific installation, each one has a playful display of how these two elements interact with one another. I look for a joyful, harmonious balance between playful/haphazard mark-making with mathematical/precise installation methods or pattern creation. It's a way of balancing expressions coming from both hemispheres of the brain.
Speaking of themes, how does your work in Bobby Nashville’s The Collection: Intersection explore its theme?
The use of line and color is apparent in the two pieces in Intersection. They are from the same exhibition at the Parthenon last year. They are actually both depicting ancient Greek Mythological horses. The illuminated one is, of course, Pegasus, and the painting “Phaeton” is an abstract depiction of one of the fragments left from the original Parthenon’s pediment sculpture. It's a broken fragment of a horse head that belongs to Helios, the god who pulls the chariot across the sky.
What’s your favorite place in Nashville, and how has it inspired you or your work?
I am more or less from Nashville, and The Parthenon and Centennial Park have consistently been on top of my list of favorite local places. The Park is only about 120 years old, but the whole place sort of transports me to this exotic ancient world that I find fascinating. As mentioned in the previous question, I draw a great deal of inspiration from Greek mythology and the classical realm. In particular, I'm really into the sculptural fragments left from the era. I like a statue that has lost its key components like the head and limbs over time. There is a mystery to it; my mind wants to fill in the blanks.
What’s your go-to Nashville restaurant spot?
I've been in Nashville for a long time and the one place that has me coming back again and again over the years is Woodlands Indian restaurant. Absolutely love the dosas there!
If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
Do goddesses count? If so, I'd love to have dinner with Athena. Not sure if she actually eats, but given some time to chat one evening, I know it would be full of fascinating insight and wisdom and I would love to know what she thinks about Alan Lequire's rendition of her in the Nashville Parthenon.
Are there any local artists, musicians, or creators in Nashville whose work you particularly admire?
One of my favorite artists of all time is Alexander Calder. His forms, shapes, and method of presenting sculpture is so vibrant, playful and bold. I love the way his mind connects shapes and the way he brings them to life in so many different ways over his career. His gigantic, monumental abstract sculptures have almost a gravity of their own and the delicate kinetic mobile sculptures defy gravity. I adore his 2d work and am so jealous of his direct and confident use of line and color. He also has this amazing childlike, playful side that really comes to fruition near the end of his career with the circus performances. At first glance, you're thinking, what is this old man doing playing with these little circus figures, but then you see how mathematical and skillfully processed he is and it's so impressive! Seriously, I could go on and on.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
I always liked this quote as it pertains to most of my personal and working relationships. “We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” - Dr Seuss
What's on the horizon for you? What can we look forward to next?
At the moment, I’m in the middle of an artistic intermission to focus on family and my art installation business. For years, it's been a crazy whirlwind of commissions, exhibitions, etc. …and I need a little respite to reset myself. I do this from time to time, and it is part of my artistic practices. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon enough.
