Artist Statement:

 

Mark Danitschek is a sculptor, musician and scientist whose work emphasizes form and surface.  

 

His recent abstract sculptures highlight active composition with form suggesting color.  The interaction between positive and negative space is emphasized.  When observing an abstract piece, the artist’s goal is for the observer to see shape and color without added pattern or texture.  

 

His earlier figurative work draws inspiration from the Bay Area figurative movement.  The sometimes larger than life figures are calm and sedate in pose with action found in the surface finish.  

 

From his early career as a musician and recording engineer to his involvement with ceramic sculpture and his most recent work in abstract sculpture, he has always loved developing and fine turning the process.  He has an innate interest in how things work, what is on the inside and how things fit together.  This curiosity led him to explore art and science by using geometric ratios in his sculpture and three-dimensional pattern and form in science.

 

His current larger abstract work consists of Baltic birch with calcined mineral stains of his own formulation.  The smaller abstracts are typically cast bronze.  His earlier ceramic figurative pieces were formed around an armature with glazes developed from his expertise with industrial surface finishes.

 

His work has been shown in galleries and museums throughout California. He is currently represented by Edna Contemporary Fine Art in San Luis Obispo, CA.

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Exhibitions and Awards:

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2023 - Edna Contemporary, Mark & Amanda Danitschek Collaborative Show

2022 - Art Center Morro Bay, On and Off the Wall, Juror

2021 - San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, Revisiting the Vessel

2021 - Art Center Morro Bay, Tomorrow's Sculpture

2019 - San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, The 3rd Dimension, Juror's Award

2019 - Phantom Project 18, SLOMA PopUp Gallery

2018 - John Natsoulas Gallery, 30 Artist Show, CCACA conference

2017 - John Natsoulas Gallery, 30 Artist Show, CCACA conference

2016 - John Natsoulas Gallery, 30 Artist Show, CCACA conference

2016 - Natsoulas Gallery, Amanda & Mark Danitschek Collaborative Show

2015 - John Natsoulas Gallery, 30 Artist Show, CCACA conference

2014 - John Natsoulas Gallery, 30 Artist Show, CCACA conference

2014 - John Natsoulas Gallery, Small Works Show

2014 - The Artery, California Clay Competition

2014 - Blue Line Gallery, America's ClayFest, Roseville CA

2013 - Lark Books, 500 Prints on Clay

2013 - Santa Cruz Art League, Black and White Show, Honorable Mention

2013 - Blue Line Gallery, America's ClayFest, Roseville CA

2013 - ACGA National Clay and Glass Juried Exhibition, Brea CA

2011 - ACGA Artist's of California Book

2011 - The Artery, California Clay Competition, Davis CA

2011 - East Bay Clay Award, California Clay Competition, Davis CA

2011 - Santa Cruz Art League, Go Figure Show, Santa Cruz CA

2010 - The Artery, California Clay Competition, Davis CA

2009 - John Natsoulas Gallery, Small Works, Miniatures and Maquettes

2009 - Art Museum of Los Gatos, LGAA juried show, Second Place

2008 - West Valley College, Solo Student Show, Saratoga CA

2008 - Art Museum of Los Gatos, LGAA juried show, Honorable Mention

2006 - Art Museum of Los Gatos, LGAA juried show, Honorable Mention