http://www.theartistprojecttoronto.com/index.php

February 10, 2010 by Hawkins · Leave a Comment

Do Something
How did your name Denial come about?

I came up with “DENIAL” about 12 years ago. Basically, if you switch around the letters in my name “Daniel” you spell DENIAL. The real reason is that it is such a strong word. As an artist interested in social justice, “conspiracy theory”, and world politics I really believe that in order to function in society we truly need to be in DENIAL. There are so many different messages we encounter everyday through different kinds of media I thought it to be appropriate to use those weapons (ie marketing, logos public signage) against the very problems I see in society forcing people to question what they see. I do this by doing public art, sticker bombs, wheat pasting and traditional graffiti.

What is your goal?

My goal is to raise awareness. Sometimes it is to raise awareness about social ideas, and sometimes I use my projects to promote myself as an artist. The messages are all relative to the city I am in and local situations or different views I hold regarding media, advertising, and politics. Wake up SHEEPIE!

How did you get introduced to guerrilla or sticker art?

I guess I would have to contribute this love for public art to being a complete and total prankster with my two brothers and loving the human reaction to the unexplained or out of the ordinary. We would set up different scenarious on the streets near our apartment and simply watch, photograph and sometimes video the reactions to what we had set up. For example, we had printed out a bunch of fake money and super glued it into the crotch of some underwear. We then proceeded to melt an Oh Henry chocolate bar on the money and mixed in some corn. We then put it out on the street to see how far people would go to get the money out. To say the least, people will do almost anything for money. Disgusting I know, but F-ing hilarious.

Welcome to Denial

What is the street scene like in Windsor, Canada, just on the boarder of Detroit in the US?

Well Windsor/Detroit is a post-industrial nightmare right now, but for a public artist this is ground zero, this place has so many “blank canvases” empty buildings etc just waiting for different forms of revival through art, through and creativity. I believe the art and music scene is thriving. Under pressure coal turns into diamonds, man.

If you could have personal theme song what would it be?

Frank Sinatra – My Way sung by Sid Vicious Hahahaha!

Who are some of your favorite (sticker) artists?

I really don’t follow many artists, not because I don’t want to but because I want to keep my own art and ideas pure from other influences. I have seen it too many times before, copycats and biters. I guess Jason Deary, Dave Kant, Kero, Niagara to name a couple local artists around here.

Stop Copying

What is your favorite part of being a sticker artist?

I love the rush I get when I know I am going road tripping to a new city to bomb it (with stickers). I am up to 35 countries now. I haven’t travelled to all of them, but wish I could. I have tab on my website denialart.com where people can request stickers to throw up for me.

If you could go back in time and talk to yourself what would you say?

Do more work. I am already quite prolific, but I am kind of my own motivation where I pressure myself always to be busy creatively.

Any advice/tips/recommendations for other sticker artists, artists, and people in general?

Do more work, don’t care what other people think, be true to yourself and your ideas.

Shhhhh

What is on the horizon for Denial? What can we keep our eyes out for?

I have 13 shows lined up across Canada in 2010. I post all my shows on my website. I am still working on getting a US I-92 waiver since I can’t cross the boarder for the last year. I should get it soon so I will then be doing more shows in the US. The funny thing is that I was deported back to Canada because I have a record for mischief (graffiti) in Canada. I am also talking with a gallery in Detroit, 323 East about doing a show there which I probably won’t be at hahahah.

WEBLINK

http://www.artistswanted.org/DENIAL519

www.jonathandy.com