Sep
3
by Anne Hansen
Daniel Sali amusingly thinks of his first art commission as being asked to draw things for fellow students in grade one. His art has come a long way since then. Now he has fulfilled his dream of having a solo show in Tokyo, Japan.
"That dream began with me giving a photo of my work to a Japanese couple I met on a VIA Rail train between Calgary and Vancouver some 25 years ago. They admired my work, and I made a conscious wish for a Tokyo show one day in my future. Then in 2006, I met a Shinto priest visiting Victoria who was so moved by my artwork that he returned six months later to invite me to exhibit in his shrine in Tokyo. I felt like a rock star in Japan!"
Daniel Sali feels much affinity with Inuit artists, west coast carvers, and Japanese woodblock artists. He also likes the art of Pablo Picasso, "with his brash and bold flying in the face of the art world panache - you may not like the man, but you have to admire his style," he says.
"Vincent van Gogh was without a doubt a complex fellow. I admire his bold artistic sincerity. He, too, was inspired by the Japanese woodblock artists." It was artist Ted Harrison whose work and life inspired Daniel to follow his own vision of what art is, and to stay true to his dreams and creative gift.
Daniel feels particularly connected to the first painting he did after returning from his solo Tokyo exhibition in 2008. "The subject was the Shinto Priestess "Ueno," who performed a sacred dance, once performed only for emperors. This incredibly beautiful dance was in celebration of my art exhibition at the historic Tanashi Jinja Shrine. The painting sums up four decades of my imagination being filled with the beauty, wonder, admiration, and respect that grew in me throughout these years. Then when I first set foot on Japanese soil, my senses were filled to overflowing with wonder and awe at the beauty that was before me - it felt like coming home."
Daniel's life is split between the graphic design work that occasionally comes his way, volunteering and carving out time to enjoy the meditative life of full creative immersion. "My social life takes a hit when I'm painting in earnest. These are times I have to force myself to stop and eat or get out and enjoy the sun."
Daniel is also a computer tutor, sings tenor in a contemporary choir, is learning Japanese, and is working toward establishing a non-profit group concerned with accessibility issues that will also help to solve people's personal mobility challenges.
See Daniel Sali's work on the James Bay Art Walk, September 11th and 12th, 11 am - 5 pm, at James Bay Coffee and Books, 143 Menzies Street (www.danielesali.blogspot.com)