Born in Sydney, Danielle McManus intertwines experiences from everyday life with her Maltese heritage to produce superbly whimsical artworks & ceramics.
Whether fictional or based on real-life family events, Danielle’s love of storytelling is evident in her colourful, figurative offerings that provide viewers with thought-provoking images, frequently set against a backdrop of a landscape fusing both her Maltese heritage and passion for Australia.
Influenced by the artwork of 17th Century European manuscripts as well as the work of other prominent artists such as Gustav Klimt, Frida Kahlo, Margaret Woodward and Arthur Boyd, Danielle uses a rich colourful palette, expressing a deep love and kinship with the Australian landscape and it’s unique colours.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts) at Newcastle University, Danielle worked as a graphic designer in Sydney, during which time she began painting ceramics. After nine years she made the move to more peaceful surroundings in the Hunter Valley where she painted from her rural studio.
Creating a range of acrylics, charcoals, mixed media works and ceramic pieces, all in her own individual and colourful style, Danielle now works from her studio in Lorn, near Maitland.
Relying on the beauty of the landscape as a constant backdrop, my inspiration at present is drawn from everyday life. My three children provide me with a constant stream of ideas and that, along with the changing seasons of the Hunter Valley and the birds and fauna here, supply more than enough material! I like to evoke feelings in the viewer, hoping they can in fact relate to the work and imagine a story of their own. Frequently there is no predetermined idea as such, the story evolves and the canvas takes on a personality of it’s own.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts) Plant & Wildlife Illustration
Newcastle University 1990 - 1992
EXHIBITIONS
2019 October 18, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” Solo Exhibition, TRAFFICJAM GALLERIES, Neutral Bay NSW
2018 June 6, “CONTEMPLATIVE WHIMSY” Solo Exhibition, TRAFFICJAM GALLERIES, Neutral Bay NSW
2017 June 4, “WILD” An exhibition with Anacita Escalante, TRAFFICJAM GALLERIES, Neutral Bay NSW
2017 March 10, Pop up Exhibition , RED HILL GALLERY, Red Hill QLD
2017 February, HARBOURING THE BEACH GROUP EXHIBITION,
TRAFFICJAM GALLERIES, Neutral Bay NSW
2016 April, BOOTY & BUST FIGURATIVE GROUP EXHIBITION, TRAFFICJAM GALLERIES, Neutral Bay NSW
2016 February, WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE EXHIBITION, RED HILL GALLERY, Red Hill QLD
2015 August 18, Exhibition with Bronwen Newbury, TRAFFICJAM GALLERIES, Neutral Bay NSW
2015 February, WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE EXHIBITION, RED HILL GALLERY, Red Hill QLD
2014 July 17, CHORUS OF COLOUR Exhibition with Starr, TRAFFICJAM GALLERIES, Neutral Bay NSW
2014 February, WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE EXHIBITION, RED HILL GALLERY, Red Hill QLD
2013 May 30 to June 20, ONCE UPON A TIME Exhibition with Di Taylor, TRAFFICJAM GALLERIES, Neutral Bay NSW
2013 February 15 to 3 March, Group Show WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE, RED HILL GALLERY, Red Hill QLD
2013 February 7 to 28 February, Group Show GREAT AUSSIE BBQ, TRAFFICJAM GALLERIES, Neutral Bay NSW
2012 September, Solo Show SMALL STORIES, POKOLBIN GALLERY, MISLTETOE WINES, Pokolbin Hunter Valley
2012 August, The Kings School Art Show
2012 May, 40th Art Craft & Jewellery Exhibition
St Ignatius’ College Riverview
2012 March 29 to April 19, KALEIDOSCOPE Group Exhibition (3 artists), TRAFFICJAM GALLERIES, Neutral Bay NSW
2012 February 10 to February 27, WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE Group Exhibition
(4 artists), RED HILL GALLERY, Red Hill QLD
2011 June 30 to July 21, SPECTACLE AND OBSERVER All Gallery Artists
TRAFFICJAM GALLERIES, Neutral Bay NSW
2011 May, 39th Art Craft & Jewellery Exhibition
St Ignatius’ College Riverview
2011 April, The 31st Annual Oatley West Public School Art & Craft Show
2011 February, Aarwun Gallery Summer Exhibition, Canberra
2010 November, The St Joseph’s College Art Show
2010 August, The Kings School Art Show
2010 May, 38th Art Craft & Jewellery Exhibition
St Ignatius’ College Riverview
2009 October, St Thomas’s School Art & Craft Exhibition
2009 September, Tudor House Art Exhibition
2009 May, VIEW Exhibits, Annual Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview Arts, Craft and Jewellery Exhibition
2008 Pokolbin Gallery, Mistletoe Wines, Pokolbin Hunter Valley – Joint Exhibition with Kristy Gimbert
2008 Artscrawl – Pokolbin, Hunter Valley
2007 Pokolbin Gallery, Mistletoe Wines, Pokolbin Hunter Valley – Solo Exhibition
2006 Morpeth Weird & Wonderful Novelty Teapot Exhibition
2005 September, Hunter Valley Grammar School Festival of the Arts
2004 Morpeth Weird & Wonderful Novelty Teapot Exhibition 3rd Place Golden Teapot Award People’s Choice Winner
2002 September, Butterflies Gallery, Pokolbin NSW – Joint exhibition (3 artists)
2002 Cessnock Art Society Miniatures Exhibition – 2nd Prize
CORPORATE COMMISSIONS
Peppertree Wines Harvest Lunch – plate design 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
PRIVATE COMMISSIONS
Neutral Bay, NSW; Buddina, QLD; Bolwarra, NSW; North Adelaide, SA; North Sydney, NSW; Moss Vale, NSW; Lorn, NSW; Blakehurst, Sydney; Geelong, VIC; Singleton, NSW; Branxton, NSW; Pokolbin, NSW;