Michael Dandley’s artwork transports the observer into a fantastical realm teetering between creation and destruction, capturing the essence of human interaction within a transformed world. His paintings act as portals to a reality where landscapes are reborn, not merely altered, by human intervention. Dandley’s careful manipulation of colors and forms crafts scenes that evoke both awe and contemplation, urging an exploration of the relationship between mankind and the environments they shape. With a palette that ranges from ominous shadows to vibrant hues, his pieces reflect the beauty and chaos present in a surreal universe, highlighting the delicate balance between nurturing and altering our surroundings.
Rooted in the intricate interplay of environments and human actions, Dandley’s creations offer a glimpse into an imagined reality governed by its own distinct set of laws. Within this universe, characters move through landscapes where the rules of physics are playfully bent, depicting survival mechanisms in a world both surreal and volatile. Each painting forms part of a larger narrative, where Dandley deftly illustrates the evolving, mysterious connection between humanity and the cosmos. The artwork speaks to the resilience and adaptability required to navigate a world that challenges conventional understanding, providing a reflective mirror for contemplating our own entanglement with the planet.
I used to described my paintings as contemporary examinations of the landscape. I thought of each image as individual scenes exploring cycles of destruction and creation arising from environments interacting with human exploration and development. Over this past year, however, I have come to consider each of these paintings (both past and future) to be part of a unified and interconnected world. A place which has its own internal rules and history. Through depicting the behavior, abilities, and technologies of this worlds inhabitants, I have begun to describe the laws which govern their lives — laws which allow characters to bend or cheat physics in order to safely navigate a strange and often volatile realm.
Michael Dandley
More info: Website, Instagram.
