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Agdag’s works are mechanical manifestation of his thoughts, feelings and ideas told through hidden narratives within the details of his work. They appear as systems; structural, social or mechanical. Often described as ‘architectural in form, whimsical in nature and inconceivably intricate’.
Drawn to the utilitarian origins and monochromatic presentation of his primary material cardboard, Agdag creates a paradox of fragility and strength with structures that resemble architectural forms and machines by using a medium that is essentially paper.
His process is one of simplification, working intuitively without detailed plans or drawings, he begins with a loose idea and builds on it as he works, very much akin to drawing rather than sculpting. Like drawing he removes and remakes elements as he creates the final work. This meandering approach often leads to both unusual forms and interesting juxtapositions within the work which all contribute to the overall aesthetic. Agdag’s preference of pared down tools and materials allow him to be agile in his creative method. The limited palette and lack of colour offer a limitless and interesting way to delineate between textures and surfaces. He feels this simplicity allows for the enormous complexity in his work.
He has exhibited solo shows in Melbourne, New York and London and been presented at several local and international art fairs including Melbourne Art Fair, Sydney Contemporary, Art Central Hong Kong, VOLTA Basel and Art Fair Tokyo. His work is held in private collections in the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and Europe.
He has completed several private commissions, notably for Hermès Paris in 2014 and 2019 as well as a collaboration as Scenographer in 2021. A large scale public commission – a steel installation for Hampton, ‘The Inspector’ in Abbotsford, Melbourne. His most recent commission ‘Lattice’ in 2022 was for New York City Department of Education, New York.
In addition to fine art, Agdag is an accomplished film maker, he is a three time Dendy Award winner and a two time AACTA/AFI nominee and winner as well as being shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film 2018.
30 September – 13 November 2023
2 – 26 September
Daniel Agdag is an artist and filmmaker based in Melbourne, Australia whose practice sits at the nexus of sculpture and motionography. He creates highly detailed sculptural pieces that have been described as ‘architectural in form, whimsical and antiquated in nature and inconceivably intricate’ and we are delighted to welcome him back for his second solo show with the gallery this autumn.
Daniel sits within a group of artists represented by the gallery who take quality and the handmade to the extreme. His works, made primarily from cardboard, take many hours to complete and are strikingly beautiful in their intricacy. Drawn to the utilitarian origins and monochromatic presentation of his material, Daniel creates a paradox of fragility and strength with structures that resemble architectural forms and machines by utilising a medium that is essentially paper, preserving them under glass vitrines or bell jars. His work is both delicate and eccentric and he spends a lot of time thinking about and absorbing objects in the built environment, their peculiar details and functions, which, once resolved in his mind, begin to slowly emerge, and coalesce.
Daniel Agdag discusses his working practice with writer and ABC broadcaster Fiona Gruber. Working in pared down materials and at an incredible level of detail we explore how his work sifts film and the imagination in pursuit of inspiration, ahead of his show at Messums London and Wiltshire this Autumn.
Daniel Agdag, an artist and filmmaker from Melbourne, creates models that come to life through the medium of stop motion animation. As static objects, however, these pieces invite close personal inspection and maintain suggestions of whimsy and narrative. Agdag’s pieces make no attempt to conceal the mechanisms and materials of his process. For Agdag, cardboard […]