Mixing formal qualities of Abstract Expressionism, Classical Renaissance painting and Graffiti, Dan Flanagan creates engrossing canvases which demand the viewer's attention. Each piece hosts intense gestural markings, swathes of color and precise linework. A sense of raw immediacy is recorded through dripping paint marks, footprints and smudges. Working within a spirit of non-conformism, acrylics, oils and spray paints are applied to the canvas with knives, tubes, rough brushes and palettes. Markers, crayons and pens are also added to the mix, and remains of polyurethane foams swell the dimensions of the heavily layered paintings. There is a balance between intention and accident within Flanagan’s paintings, as he switches between modes of action painting, and more contemplative, decisive registers within each work. Some pieces possess a somewhat manic, central compositional orbit for example, whilst others operate more subtly within the peripheries of the canvas. This blurring of influences and methodologies creates works which are all incredibly unique, some possess an immense electrical charge, whilst others are softer and more melodic in tone, using gentler palettes and offering more negative space. The distinct visual lexicon developed by Flanagan unites all these pieces together, as he continues to craft emotive and immersive paintings. ...
