Daniel Mayfield-Smith | NOW IM HAPPY

Artist Statement

This piece began as a commissioned work, where I was asked to incorporate abstract flowers in red and white. However, after completing the artwork, the client went radio silent, paying only a deposit and not claiming the piece. In response, I chose to paint over the original design with white, transforming the canvas to start anew while maintaining the original colour scheme. I introduced dark markings to evolve the piece further. In the end, I no longer see flowers in the composition but instead recognise a portrait emerging from the layers. This piece is a reflection of the unexpected journey and transformation of both the artwork and my creative process.

ARTIST BIO: 

Identifying as a Queer Artist who’s also an identical twin growing up in Brisbane. Mayfield-Smith his journey of self-identity, first, as an explores individual and then later navigating the process of redefining his identity upon realising he was queer. Mayfield-Smith is once again exploring identity.  Always playing with colours as a kid while obsessed with anime, manga and cartoon pop culture, Mayfield-Smith likes to add those nods into my works along with intentionally trying to misguide the viewer's eyes to search for a focal point in his busier works as you explore a sense of flow and movement in my works.