The work of Brisbane based multi-disciplinary artist René Danika is aptly self described as ‘hard to look away from’.
René’s grotesque but eerily familiar and beautiful creations take form from everything from dried flowers, to bitumen, and spray paint on organic matter such as clay, bones, and hair.
We sat down for a quick one two with René in the lead up to her solo exhibition entitled ‘Left, Right, Revolt’ opening this Friday (the 13th hehe) at First Coat Studios in Toowoomba.
Photos: Jasmin Seale.
What has your art journey looked like this far?
I have always painted really badly, and honestly wasn’t until I discovered clay a few years ago that I took my practice seriously.
How would you describe your overall aesthetic in a few words?
Visceral, Revolt.
What is your creative process like?
An ADHD spiral.
What types of materials do you like to work with?
I’m drawn to organic materials such as clay, bones, hair, feathers and teeth, which I manipulate and subject to toxic man-made materials like spray paint and adhesives.
Are the materials you use symbolic?
Yes very much so; bitumen as structure and foundation, ornate frames as confinement, skin textures as ideas, and tape as the quick fix.
Your work is beautiful but also grotesque, familiar and also completely alien. What interests you about these dualities?
I’m interested in evoking the feeling of revolt, and why is it that you can’t look away?
What artistic movements are you most inspired by? Can you see it reflected in your work?
I think I look to different movements for different things that overall feed my practice and enrich my life: For community graff, Professionalism spaces Mona/Dark Mofo, ect ect…
What kind of experience do you want to offer the viewer?
An immersive and visceral experience that the veiwer feels safe to sit with darkness.
What are some of your new works in your upcoming exhibition, Left, Right, Revolt.
I have been exploring and examining my personal encounters with and the rejection of tradition.
Culminating in three large scale installations. In this body of work, reclaimed objects, taxidermy, faux fur, and dried flowers are saturated by bitumen, acrylic and enamel.
The toxicity of these mediums are used as a framework through I question political extremes and inherited philosophies, and ultimately their influence on my own morality.
For those in Queensland, René’s Exhibition ‘Left, Right, Revolt’ opens tomorrow night at First Coat Studios in Toowoomba (Finally after being pushed back from an unfortunate encounter with a reversing truck!)
Roll deep details!
Time: 13th September, 7-9pm
Place: First Coat Studios (6 Laurel St, Toowoomba City QLD 4350)
The exhibition continues through to the 28th of September.
Follow René on Instagram @renedanika_artist