Paul Daniel is an acclaimed artist known for his innovative wind-activated, kinetic sculptures that explore the relationships between nature, movement, time, and light.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Daniel began his artistic journey with a strong academic foundation. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the Kansas City Art Institute and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the Rinehart School of Sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art. These formative experiences laid the foundation for his exploration of sculpture, particularly works that engage with the environment and encourage viewers to become more attuned to natural phenomena. Daniel’s sculptures are defined by their kinetic elements, designed to respond to environmental factors. His works are visually compelling both in their static form and in their interaction with the natural world. The wind animates his pieces, creating motion that reveals nature's invisible forces. Each sculpture's geometry, weight, and surface area are carefully considered to ensure durability in varying weather conditions, from light breezes to extreme elements. The interplay of wind, light, and shadow throughout the day offers a dynamic experience for viewers, providing different visual perspectives as the sculptures move and change. In addition to his three-dimensional works, Daniel also creates detailed two-dimensional drawings that guide the development of his sculptures during fabrication. These sketches serve as tools for refining concepts and tracking their evolution, ensuring a cohesive design process. His approach is incremental, with each new piece building upon the last, mirroring the organic, evolving nature of the outdoor environments where the sculptures are placed.Daniel has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, including a Municipal Art Society Grant, a Maryland Arts Council Grant, the Henry Walters Traveling Fellowship, and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. These honors reflect the significance of his work and its impact on the artistic community. Through their motion, Daniel’s works draw attention to the subtle shifts and changes in the world around us, reflecting the cyclical nature of life itself. Today, Paul Daniel continues to create sculptures that engage with nature and time, with works displayed in both outdoor and indoor public and private collections.