Conceptual artist Dan Mauz explores the beauty of simplicity in Wire Line, a study in form, material and the art of making more from less.
Crafted from a single continuous line of raw steel wire, these delicate micro sculptures transform an everyday material into something unexpectedly expressive. Selected by COLFORD in response to a hypothetical brief, Dan Mauz created a limited re-edition of his spider sculptures that might be gifted as invitations to an imagined art gallery private view.
Here, the artist reflects on the relationship between craft and concept, the intimacy of gifting, and the ideas that continue to shape his practice.
Words - Dan Mauz
I am a conceptual artist based in London. My work usually evolves around questions of the existential and is based on my direct experience of life; my aim is to make literal sense of it through my visual work.
This body of work called Wire Line is first and foremost an example of craft - a pure physical exercise of aesthetic. I like the idea of creating a micro sculpture because of its accessibility: most people could afford a piece of sculpture that bears the same DNA as my larger works, which are typically not for sale.
I find the daddy longlegs spider to be subject of such a minimalism that can become realistically represented with the use of only a few lines; that's what intrigued me in the first place.
“The spiders are each created from one continuous line, making this artefact more challenging as well as structurally sound - no loose ends.”
The humble medium used for the execution adds humour to the line - raw gardening wire is elevated by the creative hand and the visual quality of its outcome.
“My practice draws from life itself and is not defined by a specific medium. Ideas lead me to the finding of the most suitable medium to express them - be it painting, installation, performance or other mediums.”
Most of my process resolves into thinking alone; an initial thought refined into a mature one. This might take up to months, but ideas can be processed simultaneously so there is never really a break in between one and another.
Gifting means a lot to me - this moment expresses the connection between me and the person on the other end - I see gifting as an highly intimate act, always personal. There's nothing I am more jealous of and reserved about than my ideas.
“To gift a creation of mine to someone is, to a degree, to gift myself.”
I gave one of my early large wire drawings to someone who meant a lot to me. I know they still have the piece and that's worth the world to me.
I am a full time artist no matter what - even when I am not physically active you can be sure I am up to something in my head. At the minute I am on the move between studio spaces and I look forward to bringing back the wire drawings and to doing so on a large scale to show the 'art world' what an artist is capable of.