Mechanic turned artist unveils exhibition

Dan Lane, aka Mechanica, an assemblage artist who uses pieces of machinery to create spectacular sculptures, will be showcasing his works at an Exeter gallery next month.

The highly acclaimed artist will be at Castle Fine Art, Exeter on Saturday 3rd October 2015 between 1pm-4pm to present his ‘Every Piece of Me’ exhibition, which will then remain open to the public until 18th October 2015.

Having worked as an engineer for 15 years, Mechanica decided to turn full time artist after encouragement from his family and friends prompted him to pursue his passion. His artistic talent was soon recognised by Washington Green, the UK’s leading fine art publisher, when Mechanica applied to take part in its Summer Exhibition 2014, featuring up-and-coming artists from the contemporary art scene.

His first solo show held in London earlier this year saw over half of his exhibition pieces sold on launch night.

Building up his pieces from industrial machine parts, interesting and unusual shaped objects, home appliances, and items collected from everyday life, Mechanica assembles the hundreds of individual components into eye-catching works of art, reminiscent of ornate, Baroque-style sculptures. Elements from nature, such as flowers and birds, can also be found juxtaposed against his industrial backdrops.

Mechanica – who names Italian artist and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini as the biggest influence on his work – said:

“When people view my new collection, I want them to spend hours getting lost in each piece and taking in all the small details. My art invites people into my imagination, where a dark yet beautiful world of nature is trying to live and thrive in an industrial back drop.

“Before starting to work full time as an artist, I managed an engineering workshop with lots of incredible machinery and the experience has definitely stayed with me. I love any type of mechanical object, especially the inside of old watches and think this is one of the reasons I try to make my sculptures so intricate.”

Selina Cassidy, Gallery Manager for Exeter’s Castle Fine Art – Washington Green Fine Art’s nationwide network of high street galleries – said:

“Since Dan went public with his artwork just over a year ago, he has been met with an overwhelming response.

“Dan’s sculptures are the result of months of meticulous collecting of parts and features from all manner of different sources and in this way his work defies labels, standing apart from recognised genres. His work unites elements of nature, religious iconography and the mechanics industry, creating an artistic fingerprint of his own.”

Mechanica will be presenting his new collection at Castle Fine Art, Exeter, 18 Cathedral Yard, EX1 1HB from Saturday 3rd October. The exhibition runs for a further two weeks until 18th October 2015.

All of Mechanica’s pieces can be bought from the exhibition or online: www.castlegalleries.com