Good to see local artist Daniel Staincliffe getting recognition by being shortlisted for the Fine Art category of the Northern Futures awards. Dan’s work has steadily been gaining profile over the last 12 months and he’s been keeping good company. His work has recently featured alongside the likes of David Shrigley in the Barnaby Festival and is currently being exhibited, flanked by work from Mark Wallinger, at Castlefield Art Gallery as part of the “A Horse Walks into a Bar” show open until the 8th August.
Dan’s work particularly interest us for its engagement with chance as a creative force while his “garden shed aesthetic” exudes a quirky British eccentricity that’s charming in its utilitarian approach. His Fauna Automata machines seen above encapsulate both aspects of this approach beautifully, hand-built wooden contraptions that allow wild animals to take their own photographs without the need for expensive technical equipment.
Winners of the Northern Futures Prize will be announced the week commencing the 16 August with £1500 going to the winners of each category, but you can catch the exhibition of shortlisted artists earlier at The Civic, Barnsley between 28 July and 3 September 2010. Best of luck Dan.
