Last week ART-PIE went to see Arth Daniel’s first solo show – ‘Itsa Bitsa, Face and Bone’ at Stolen Space ( read the post here) and was impressed and excited by Arth’s new works and his completely new and fresh approach to portraiture.

ART-PIE had the chance to get Arth to answer a few questions about his work and his current show.

ART-PIE Can you tell your readers about yourself?

Arth Daniels Indeed I can, my name is Arth Daniels, I’m a portrait painter of sorts and I live in londres, home of stuff..

A-P Your show is running since the 22nd of April and is entitled “Itsa Bitsa, Face and Bone.” This is you first solo show, what are you thinking of it so far and what have you been wanting to show us?

Arth Daniels Yeah, It’s great, highly positive experience thus far, much different from previous shows I’ve had and the people at StolenSpace are great. I’ve got the upmost respect for the space so being part of it with this body of work is pretty damn amazing. As for the work itself, I guess I’m not trying to ‘say’ a great deal myself in particular, I’m just loving the process and just trying to enable others to evoke something from the work for themselves. I see painting as a study and a way of learning, it’s not necessarily a way of making a comment..well, for now anyway.

A-P Can you tell us about your creative process and where does the keen interest in portraiture come from?

Arth Daniels The interest in portraiture comes from growing up with portraiture; I can’t really pin-point a time where it became my topic as such. I do know however, that its one of the most acceptable forms of art, in practicality painting a face has great benefits for both the artist and the subject, to paint something correctly is highly satisfying and capturing something unique and personal about the subject is a skill. Creating that uniqueness myself from scratch is part of the challenge and it’s this that keeps it fresh for me. The interest in photorealist elements of portraiture would probably spawn from my need to be honest and realistic about the practice…that.. and a love for messing with people’s perception.

A-P Your background is illustration but you are also keen on fine art, traditional and street art. Which art influences you the most would you say?

Arth Daniels Probably one of the broadest questions out there! – there is so much to say! – but, in all honesty I can’t even start to narrow down which influences me more, I don’t even think it’s possible to be influenced by each as a separate entity. What’s good is good, and what grabs hold of you mentally or visually is good work; that’s what influences me the most.

A-P Are there any other projects or shows that you will be involved with for the rest of 2010 that you can share with us?

Arth Daniels Haha, nothing that I can share with you but keep your eyes peeled, let’s just say I’m always working on something new and whether that gets to see the outside world, is a bonus.

‘Itsa Bitsa, Face and Bone’ exhibition runs until the 9th May 2010 at Stolen space

ART-PIE