Dan Lane | Mechanica | Every Piece of Me

Dan Lane | Mechanica | Every Piece of Me

FOREWORD

Mechanica is a mixed media artist that defies labels and stands apart from recognised genres. His artistic practice unites various elements of nature, religious iconography, small sculptures and industrial components to create his intricate works. His methodology alludes to assemblage art, but the true beauty of his practice lies in the alchemical metamorphosis that takes places when he crafts disparate components into a tableau, invoking an industrial elegance and style typically associated with ornate décor and baronial architecture. This fusion of style and the complexity thereof, not only engages an audience but affords Mechanica an artistic fingerprint all of his very own. Following the success that he enjoyed at the Summer Exhibition held at Castle Fine Art, Mayfair in August 2014, Mechanica has continued to accrue a following of collectors and admirers. The diverse nature of his subject matter, executed with such masterful artistry, has won him acclaim from both his fellow artists and critics alike. For Mechanica, inspiration is never far away; walking past a church, a trip to a flea market, even household objects provide a landscape of ideas that will later take shape as a compelling addition to his impressive body of work. His instinct to create pervades his every waking hour, and his pieces often first take shape in the guise of a sketch in the notebook kept at his bedside to capture the visions that come upon him even as he prepares to sleep. Mechanica’s engineering background shines forth from this collection, and we as viewers are left in no doubt of his conviction to understand the mechanisms and inner working of the world around him. Each element is a considered addition to the scenes he creates, carefully selected for its visual impact, role within the overall narrative and fine tolerances to which he must adhere in order to maintain balance and synchronicity within his sculpture.

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 60 x 80cm THESE TIES THAT BIND US

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 77 x 85cm BLOW MY MIND

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 70 x 90cm APOLLO CITY

“My work is a dark yet beautiful take on natural forms

by mechanical intervention.” - DAN LANE

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 60 x 110cm BLOSSOM EMPIRE

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 85 x 100cm CALLING OUT FATHER

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 60 x 110cm CREATION OF MAN

“The mechanical can become the life source; the life source reliant on the mechanical.” - DAN LANE

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 45 x 50cm NECTAR

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 80 x 50cm | Framed artwork pictured THE ENTRAPMENT OF DANCE

A TREACHEROUS EMBRACE Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 80 x 65cm | Framed artwork pictured

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 40 x 40cm | Framed artwork pictured THE SINNER

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 70 x 60cm | Framed artwork pictured VICTORY

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 60 x 90cm GIANTS AMONGST GODS

“I love classical marble sculpture, in particular Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and I try to use features in my work that reflect this style.” - DAN LANE

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 120 x 90cm BODY OF ROSES

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 70 x 115cm EMPEROR

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 90 x 80cm MEDIA FRENZY

“I enjoy using religious iconography as centre pieces in my work, they give a really strong focal point to a sculpture.” - DAN LANE

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 84 x 65cm LAST MOMENT OF TRANQUILLITY

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 45 x 67cm THE FALLEN

Mixed Media Original Sculpture | 110 x 80cm ACE OF SPADES

BIOGRAPHY

An assemblage artist from Kent with a liking for all things mechanical, intricate and unusual, Dan Lane aka Mechanica creates sculptures with a dark yet beautiful take on natural forms by mechanical intervention; an industrial version of life. Having worked as an engineer for fifteen years, Dan Lane began creating sculptures as a hobby three years ago. After being persuaded by family and friends, he went public with his artwork in April 2014, to an overwhelming response. In this short time he has been featured in a range of local and national newspapers, magazines and blogs, and even on the BBC 6 o’clock news. In August, he was selected to take part in the Summer Exhibition at Castle Fine Art in Mayfair, and was subsequently signed to Washington Green Fine Art Publishing. Now, he is preparing to exhibit his largest collection to date - ‘Every Piece Of Me’ - which will debut at Castle Fine Art in June 2015. On the new collection, Dan says: “Each piece in this collection will be a more amplified version of anything I have done before stretching my abilities to create the most visually intricate and detailed sculptures. When people view this collection I want them to spend hours getting lost in each piece and taking in all the small details.” The inspiration for Dan’s work comes from many different sources. He draws inspiration from sculptures in churches and cathedrals across the world, finding real presence and mood in the baroque, over-the-top styling.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini is a particular inspiration of his, and he incorporates these types of Baroque sculpture as centre pieces in some of his sculptures, providing a strong focal point and adding to the concept of the dark yet beautiful. Dan incorporates elements from nature, using flowers, insects, birds etc to juxtapose the mechanical bias of his sculptures, saying: “I love the idea of having something beautiful like a butterfly or a hummingbird trying to find its place or break out of the industrial worlds that I create.” Each of Dan’s sculptures is the result of months of meticulous searching and collecting parts and features from all manner of different sources. Most begin with a central figure which inspires him, and he will then spend countless hours putting together a mechanical world around the main focal feature. Many people assume that his sculptures are made from metal, but in reality they incorporate many different materials including plastics, metals and ceramics. Each piece is primed and sprayed with a dark metallic grey, then dry brushed with silver to give the weather worn effect which makes it appear that the sculpture is cast from metal. The natural features are hand painted and fixed into position afterwards, offering a stark contrast and focal point to the piece. He says: “This whole paint process is something that I have really had to master myself, my newest works look a lot more uniform in there appearance than my very earliest pieces.”

The images contained within this literature are an artistic representation of the collection. To best experience our art, we recommend you contact your local gallery to arrange a viewing. © Washington Green 2015. The content of this brochure is subject to copyright and no part can be reproduced without prior permission