artist's biography

Californian Susan Danis is a sculptor who enjoys working with a colorful variety of materials. "Secret affinities between the cultural (toys, fabric, beads, locks, hooks, chains) and the natural (bones, teeth, coral, hair, taxidermic animals) emerge and guide Danis's process.

The finished assemblages, bursting with energy, resemble Hindu temples in their exuberant profusion." (DeWitt Cheng, "Susan Danis at the Berkeley Art Center," Artweek December 2005.)

Susan Danis is inspired by her love of the universe and her travels. Danis earned her Bachelor of Art degree at the University of California at Berkeley, and her Master of Fine Art degree at California College of Art. She is represented by L2kontemporary in Los Angeles.

Her "Knife Sphere," (4.5' in diameter) created from hundreds of knives, as well as swords, is currently on view at Studio 333 in Sausalito, California. Danis exhibits internationally.


resumé

awards

2008
Voted “Best Assemblagist in the East Bay,” by The East Bay Express

selected solo shows

2010
Celebrating the Universe, ArtZone 461 Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2005
Pleasure, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
Strange Pleasures, L2kontemporary Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2002
Earthly Pleasures, Sticks Gallery, Berkeley, CA
2001
Earthly Delights, Mesh Gallery, Sebastopol, CA
1989
Hooves and Trotters, The Old Oakland Gallery, Oakland, CA

selected group shows

2011
Love & Pleasure, ArtWorks Downtown, San Rafael, CA
Small Works, ArtZone 461 Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Inventory Reduction, ArtZone 461 Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2010
Inventory Reduction, ArtZone 461 Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Aqua: Art on Water, ArtZone 461 Gallery, San Francisco, CA
The Seduction of Duchamp, The Museums of Los Gatos, CA
The Seduction of Duchamp, ArtZone 461 Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Un-Titled, ArtZone 461 Gallery, San Francisco, CA
SF Fine Art Fair, ArtZone 461 Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2009
Better Come See M*F*, ArtZone 461 Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2008
Assemblage, Art Works Downtown, San Rafael, CA
Here & Now, ArtZone 461 Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Visual Aid, ArtZone 461 Gallery, San Francisco, CA
New West Coast Design, Velvet Da Vinci; San Francisco, CA
2007-08
Convergence: CCA Alumni, Oakland Museum, Oakland International Airport, Oakland, CA
Art Fair Now, Miami, Miami, Florida; Volakis Gallery, Yountville, CA
Bridge Art Fair, London, England; Volakis Gallery, Yountville, CA
Members’ Showcase,Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
Day of the Dead Invitational, Art Works Downtown, San Rafael, CA
11th Annual Art for Aids Auction, U.C.S.F., San Francisco, CA
Moshi Moshi! Bridging Cultures Through Art, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA
Rising Sun: A Bridge to Japan, Alta Bates Medical Center Gallery, Berkeley, CA
Commons: The Second Wednesday Salon,Thoreau Center for Sustainability, San Francisco, CA
Changing Still Life, Euphrat Museum of Art, Cupertino, CA
2006-7
Hybrids–The New Surrealists, Peninsula Museum of Art, Belmont, CA
2006
Members' Showcase, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
Sakai Shiritsu Bunka-Kan, Sakai City, Osaka, Japan
Sakai and Berkeley Artist Group Show
Members' Showcase, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
2005
Ro Sham Bo: Rock Paper Scissors, Studio 333, Sausalito, CA Sausalito Arts Commission Annual Art Exhibit
Looking Back and Seeing Forward: A 90th Anniversary Exhibition, Charles Campbell Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Members' Showcase, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
2004
Chroma Nouveau, L2kontemporary Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
It Can Change: The Clothing Project, Lucky Tackle Gallery, Berkeley, CA
Members' Showcase, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
2003
Mind Over Metal, Art Works Downtown, San Rafael, CA
Members' Showcase, finalist, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
2002
Refuse/Reuse/Redux, The Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz, CA
Blue Plate Special, Bay Area Glass Institute / Works Gallery, San Jose, CA
The Art of Collecting, Sonoma Museum of Visual Art, Santa Rosa, CA
Members' Showcase, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
2001
Trash, Mesh Gallery, Sebastopol, CA
Members' Showcase, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
2000
Small is Beautiful, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
1998
Stay Tuned: The Revolution Will Be Broadcast, Berkeley Art center, Berkeley, CA
New Visions: Introductions 98, Pro Arts, Oakland, CA
Members' Showcase, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
1994-7
Junk Art Show, The El Cerrito Community Center, El Cerrito, CA
Members' Showcase, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
1989
MFA Show, California College of Arts Gallery, Emeryville, CA
1984
The California College of Arts Gallery, Oakland, CA

publications and reviews

2010
Celebrating the Universe, DeWitt Cheng, Art Ltd. Magazine, September, 2010
The Seduction of Duchamp, catalog. Hanna Regev, The Museums of Los Gatos, September 12, 2010
Back to the Picture, Alan Bamberger, Art Business, June 19, 2010
2009
Art From the Sole, Eric Smillie, Craft, Volume 10, January, 2009
Frozen Horns and Sidewalk Worms, Eric Smillie’s Blog, www.ericsmillie.com, March 5, 2009
Sock it to ‘em, Scholastic LTD Magazine, Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Junior Education Plus+ ECO ART
Patrick Hartl, Castle Magazine Issue 15, Munich, Germany
2008
New West Coast Design, catalog. Peninsula Museum of Art, Belmont, CA
2007
Hybrids: The New Surrealists, catalog. Peninsula Museum of Art, Belmont, CA
2006
Hybrids: The New Surrealists, Art Hazelwood, San Francisco Arts Magazine, December 2006
Berkeley Art Center, Commemorative Poster for the 40th Anniversary of the Berkeley Art Center, featuring sculptural piece La Femme En Rose
2005
Susan Danis at the Berkeley Art Center, DeWitt Cheng, Artweek, Volume 36, No 10 December 2005/January 2006
Pleasure & Other Pleasures, Jeff Greenwald's Blog, www.jeffgreenwald.com October, 2005
Susan Danis, Pleasure, Ana Fox-Hoddess, Berkeley Art Center Newsleaf, Fall 2005
2004
Found Objects: Hard to Find, Susan Kuchinskas, East Bay Express, Culture Spy – Volume 27, No. 6, November 17
2002
American Craft, October / November Issue
2002
Works + Conversations, Issue #6
2002
Urban View, January
2001
Growed Up: Two New Exhibits Invigorate Apple Country, review by Gretchen Giles, The Bohemian, October 25-31
1991
California College of Arts Portfolio

lectures and public speaking engagements

2007
Euphrat Museum of Art, Slide Lecture by Susan Danis
2005
Berkeley Art Center, Susan Danis; interviewed by Gallery Director Robbin Henderson, October 14, 2005
2000
Berkeley Art Center, Slide Lecture by Susan Danis
1989
California College of Art, Slide Lecture by Susan Danis

education

1989
MFA, Sculpture and Painting, California College of Arts, Oakland, CA
1982
BA, Fine Arts, U.C. Berkeley, Berkeley, CA Phi Beta Kappa

representation in los angeles, ca

L2Kontemporary, 990 N. Hill Street # 205, Los Angeles, CA 90012
"ARTIST RIDES MAYDAY HORSE," :: photograph