Daniel Butterworth
Doug Moran and Archibald Prize finalist, Daniel Butterworth is an established artist specialising in portraiture – frequently using self portraits to express social, political and personal views.
"DANIEL’S LOOSE AND FREE APPROACH TO HIS MEDIUM IS CAPTIVATING!"
A figurative artist, he uses images of himself in much of his work to express social, political and personal views.
He was a finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (2010 and 2013) and the Black Swan Portraiture Prize (2015).
"My main subject when painting is myself.
When painting myself there are no expectations allowing me to be free with the paint.
Also at times, through the image of myself, I will comment on social and political concerns - the response that I paint is mine and would/ could not put that on any other than myself."
Using his own image as his primary subject matter, Daniel taps in to a unique political and social commentary.
After painting with oils for most of his career, he recently switched to house paints, allowing for much more freedom and spontaneity in his work.
"Art has no boundaries, everyone can create."
This medium showcases the speed of his brush strokes to indicate movement with the figure.
With a multitude of different colours making up the tonal values and the use of the cardboard markings and paint dribbles, his works show strength, uniqueness and a rawness within.
Having started his working life as a sign-writer, Dan later completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Latrobe University and has been a practising artist for more than 20 years.
Dan works from his studio in Kyneton, Victoria.
With numerous solo and group exhibitions to his name, along with selection as a finalist in a large number of high profile portrait prizes, Daniel is now in demand as a guest artist and teacher in Australia.
Dan opened the 2016 Archibald exhibition in Ballarat and has accomplished many commissions, including several of TV personality and comedian Shane Jacobson.
"Someone once called me an ‘egotistical wanker’ because I mainly paint myself,” he says with a mild sense of chagrin.
"I paint myself because I am always here,” he explains,
“And the type of work I am portraying is my personal reaction to difficult situations. I don’t expect a model to show the emotion I am feeling about the issue I am addressing.”
Title: Annie Smithers | Medium: acrylic on board | Dimensions: 245 x 125 cm | Archibald Prize 2016
‘The idea of painting Annie came about when I was sitting around an open fire having a wine with some friends,’ says artist Daniel Butterworth.
‘Conversations started about the Archibald and who I should paint. One friend suggested Annie, a well-known chef in the area, and I thought she would make a good subject. I didn’t know her personally but got in touch to arrange a meeting.
I went along with an idea of how I would paint her but Annie is almost completely different to how I imagined her and I realised my initial concept was all wrong.
After chatting for a while, Annie mentioned that the bottom line for her is that all her hard work ends up down the toilet. That was the start of her portrait.’
Exhibitions and Commission
2020
Finalist in the Kilgour painting prize
Finalist Percival Portrait Prize
2019
Finalist Arthur Guy memorial painting prize
Finalist naked and nude
Finalist Brisbane portrait prize
Semi finalist Doug Moran Prtrait Prize
2018
Finalist Muswellbrook art prize
Finalist black swan portrait prize
Finalist Alice Prize
Finalist Blake
Solo show Darling Harbour Sydney
Survivor series Melbourne DAX Center
2017
BP portrait prize semi finalist
Semi finalist doug moran portrait prize
2017
When the black dog bites
VAC Latrobe gallery Bendigo
Ballarat Art Gallery Survivor series Supported Peter Blenkiron
2016
Finalist Archibald Portrait Prize [opened Archibald when it went to Ballarat]
Art works group show
2015
Semi-finalist for Doug Moran portrait Prize
Finalist for Black Swan portrait Prize
Commission Roma
DMROS open studios
Permanent exhibit at Royal George hotel Kyneton
Art Works Gallery Kyneton
Little gallery Trentham group show
2014
Finalist for the Paul Guest Drawing Prize
Semi-finalist for the Doug Moran Portrait Prize
Solo show Still naked faces Brunswick Street Gallery Melbourne
Artist in residency Overnewton
Mad gallery Lancefield Group show
Selected for travelling exhibition with the Forever Young Choir
Selected for the DMROS open studios
2013
Finalist Doug Moran Portrait Prize
B.S.G. [Brunswick street gallery] group show
Macedon ranges art trail
2012
Commission Boschen
Commission Raybould
Remain calm stockrooms Kyneton
Short listed Percival portrait prize Townsville
2011
Commission Powers
Commission Wilkes
Commission Oak ridge winery
Oak ridge winery solo show
I am F.U. solo show Mad gallery Lancefield
Stockrooms group show
Bridget McDonnell Gallery Hampton Solo Exhibition
Taste It Stockroom Kyneton Solo Exhibition
Commission David Pagham
Commission Caroline Chesterfield
2010
Doug Moran finalist
B.S.G. [Brunswick street gallery] painting prize
B.S.G. [Brunswick street gallery] works on paper
Commission - Davey
Commission - Jackson
Commission - Barber
2009
Commission - Chambers
Commission - Thompson
Commission - Davey
Permanent exhibit Mad Gallery Lancefield
2008
Grief and Loss exhibition Castlemaine Art Gallery
Exhibition- group show Mad Gallery Lancefield
Stage props for school production
Worked with students from primary school to produce public display
2007
Portrait commission - Sacred Heart College fundraiser
Mad Gallery Selected artist for Youth fund raiser
2006
Self-portrait exhibition Castlemaine Art Gallery
Commission - Adams
2005
Created the book “I am a lighthouse”
with Matthew Butterworth
2004
“We are in Love” Span Galleries, Melbourne
“Because we Rock” Mad Gallery Lancefield
2003
“The People’s Project” 30 public art projects through out Victoria
2002
“Yeah Yeah” Span Galleries, Melbourne
Jakarandah drawing prize finalist
2001
“Horizon 01” BHG & S Gallery, Kyneton
Hutchins art prize The Hutchins school Tasmania
Darebin works on paper
Williamstown work on paper
Two faced Span Galleries melbourne
2000
“14 Go” Bendigo Regional Art Gallery
Hutchins art prize The Hutchins school Tasmania
Mornington Peninsula works on paper
Swan Hill print and drawing aquisition
Sibling Rivalry” Span Galleries - 45 Flinders Lane Melbourne
Mornington Peninsula works on paper