Canadian born artist Daniel Mazzone in a dramatic return to the streets of Toronto
By Rose Marie Bresolin
Ever since Canadian Billionaire Michael Wekerle purchased 8 pieces of his art at the Toronto International Art Fare in 2011, and more since, Canadian, Dan Mazzone continues to make waves in the art world. What is unique about the works by the young artist who’s been described as the ‘next Andy Warhol’ is his style of piecing together “little fragments of each subject’s visual history” and giving them new form. Below he makes a personal statement on our Toronto scene.
The young Canadian Artist with a unique approach to art continues to have Exhibitions in Toronto, New York, and Art Basel in L A, that have earned him celebrity status.
Born in Toronto, Canada in 1980, Dan Mazzone is a celebrated artist who has been referred to as the next Andy Warhol. His unique way for using media to tell a story has earned him a place in numerous art galleries and exhibitions, including Art Basel.
In this personal interview Dan discloses how, through hard work and determination, his art has blossomed into a life changer for him.
Rose Marie Bresolin: What does art mean to you? What does the word itself bring to mind?
Dan: What does it mean to me? (pause) When I was a kid art was an outlet for me. My mom is an artist who works with stained glass. I remember hanging out with her and doing art. Those were my happiest times. My youth was pretty turbulent, so those moments of happiness stand out for me and when I think of art, I feel happier.
Rose Marie: What drove you to make the leap from the security of the 9 – 5 world into one of uncertainty?
Dan: I had expected my career to give me the things I needed to be happy. But it wasn’t long before I found myself feeling miserable in my work. When every Monday I couldn’t wait for Friday, I realized I was wishing my life away. It was after a period of suffering through the Sunday night anxiety about being at my job next day, that the idea of doing art as something I might make a living at was born. I wanted to create those earlier happy moments again. So, at first, I started doing it for fun, and before I knew it, it turned into a career.
Rose Marie: I understand that; and it’s been said that Peter Pan could fly because he had happy thoughts. Sounds like yours brought your wings as well. So then, it was your happy thoughts that took you to your art?
Dan: Haha Exactly! And when people look at my art, I want it to call up an emotion in them, to trigger a memory or instil a message that might move them. In creating a work of art I use the materials themselves to tell stories, so each piece is different- the art created out of music or a musician may reconnect them to a joy remembered, another form may stir up a serious message, like women’s rights, which of course, are human rights. For me what is important is that people come away with a real connection to the art.
Rose Marie: How does it make you feel to see that level of intensity in response to your art?
Dan: Well, I did a good job. Haha! I feel like mission accomplished! A satisfaction that what brought me to a place of feeling fulfilled can also move others to a greater depth, whether in the nostalgia of a rich memory or by drawing them to reflect on something more deeply than they did before. I want them to experience the art in a way that can bring them joy and perhaps expand them.
Rose Marie: So, what do you see next?
Dan: Art’s been a life changer for me. My relationship with art makes me want to move on, to the next piece, to push myself forward and see if I can do something greater.
Rose Marie: And is that what you want for those looking at your art?
Dan: Yes, I want my art to be a link to something meaningful for them. I want to continue creating more depth and become more of a story teller, telling stories that can better connect us in ourselves and with each other.
