Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daniel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Daniel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The power of art has always been tied to expressing feelings and opinions. My current collection, which opens at the Baldwin Avenue Gallery on June 13th, 2025- 7PM, titled ‘Shift+Ctrl’ is a call to action. Baldwin Avenue Gallery : 12 North Baldwin Avenue, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
It’s about shifting our mindset and taking control, not through outrage, but through engagement.
This collection is about moving from resistance to responsibility. From venting to volunteering. From despair to doing something.

Each of these sculptures, the Shift+Ctrl, represents a rupture in society though more importantly, each offers a ritual of renewal. They invite us to participate in making things better, right now, right here. Not hypothetically. Physically. Daily.

The Shift+Ctrl breaks down the idea of ‘Applied Dissent’: Daily participation as revolutionary acts.
From Resistance to Responsibility

Exhibition Statement
The Shift+Ctrl: Rituals of Renewal
They do not melt.
 They do not smile. They are not desserts. They are catalysts. 
They are reminders.
 They are blueprints for what comes next They are not here to protest. They are here to prompt. This collection of six towering fiberglass cupcakes clad in ski goggles and street punk textures—is a visual mythology for civic renewal. Each figure represents a pressing social challenge, more importantly, each offers a ritual of response. A way forward.
From climate burnout to digital surveillance, from forgotten histories to fractured mental health, these sculptures don’t just depict the problems. They promote accountability and action. Shift+Ctrl invites visitors to physically participate: to archive a forgotten story, seed a garden, adopt a civic role, or commit to community care. This is a gallery of action—not just reaction.
The Shift+Ctrl are not saints of protest. They are saints of applied dissent. Of showing up. Of doing the work.
This is what it looks like when resistance becomes responsibility.
When art becomes movement.
When dissent grows hands.

Daniel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

From large-scale outdoor works in metal and concrete to glossy fiberglass collections, I’ve always been drawn to creating expressive sculptures that have something to say. Losing myself in the process, where time seems to slip away is one of the most rewarding parts of making art. I often discover things about myself I never set out to find.

There’s a unique clarity that emerges when I move from concept to form. Ideas and emotions get worked out and solidified during the sculpting process, and I absolutely love that part of the journey. I always begin with a theme, something to fight for, learn about, or question. Once a message becomes clear, I craft a narrative that weaves throughout a collection.

I gravitate toward themes rooted in community and culture. Sometimes these subjects are sensitive or complex, but that’s where the work becomes most meaningful. I aim to be intentional with how my ideas are expressed in each piece, balancing interpretation with storytelling in a way that invites dialogue. And that’s exactly the point.

I like to say I cultivate conversations, creating opportunities for people to share, reflect, and work through perspectives together face to face. In the end, I believe we all want the same fundamental things: connection, understanding, and a better world for ourselves, our friends, and our families.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Absolutely. One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to fully understand is just how personal the creative process really is. It’s not simply about making something that looks cool or meaningful to others. It’s about working through your own questions, contradictions, and lived experiences in real time.

For me, art is mightier than the sword; it always has been. There are two ways to express ourselves visually: one is making art for art’s sake, and the other is having something important to say through your creations. In my opinion, voiceless art is a missed opportunity to engage in a world that desperately needs ideas to be expressed. We all have opinions and a desire to leave our communities better than we found them, and expressing ourselves through art is a powerful way to communicate those messages.

Then there’s the emotional labor. Sharing your work, especially when it tackles cultural, social, or social based themes means exposing parts of yourself to interpretation, critique, and sometimes misunderstanding. That vulnerability is real, but it’s also what creates genuine connections.

If there’s one insight I can share, it’s this: creativity isn’t about being “artistic” in the traditional sense it’s about being curious, open, and willing to find meaning in the unknown. That’s something everyone can tap into, whether or not they see themselves as creative.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, absolutely. My creative journey is driven by a mission to use art as a tool for connection, conversation, and community empowerment. I want my work to inspire people not just to see, but to think and engage especially around themes that matter deeply, like culture, identity, and social responsibility.

While those ideas can sound broad or generic, I dig deeper by asking ‘why’ challenging traditional perspectives and consistently gut-checking the systems and beliefs we take for granted.

More than creating objects, I aim to spark dialogue and reflection that can lead to real-world action and change. Art, for me, is a way to bridge divides and build understanding. Ultimately, my goal is to create spaces both physical and conceptual where people feel invited to share perspectives, question norms, and come together to imagine better futures.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @danielfarnamsculpture

Image Credits

@tinkergineering