Hero of a archival pigment print by Danielle Mckinney

Danielle Mckinney

Sandman

€700
Limited edition of 117650.8 (H) × 40.5 (W) cm

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In Sandman, Danielle Mckinney explores the transformative power of dreams.

To Danielle, rest is sacred — particularly for the Black women who inhabit her paintings. Her edition’s title, Sandman, refers to a figure in European folklore that brings sleep and pleasant dreams by sprinkling magical sand in people’s eyes. Channeling this mythical figure, Danielle asks who deserves rest, and who is allowed to dream.

At the centre of the print is Danielle’s interpretation of Le Rêve, Picasso’s 1932 painting of his sleeping young mistress. The colour-blocked cubism stands out within Danielle’s earth-toned interior. Underneath the framed Picasso, another sleeping woman sinks into an olive green couch. Although she is fully nude, her depiction seems less voyeuristic than the exposed breast of Picasso’s subject. By including Le Rêve in Sandman, Danielle emancipates the image of the sleeping woman from the white male gaze of art history.

I feel like I always missed out on seeing classical paintings with Black women. I think, subconsciously, I always wanted to see it. So I was like, ‘Why not paint it?

Danielle Mckinney
Danielle Mckinney by Pierre Le Hors
Danielle Mckinney3 collaborationsIntimate and contemplative, Danielle Mckinney paints moments of female solitude. Using acrylic paint on canvas, she puts single figures in homely places. They’re always occupied, whether smoking a cigarette or sitting deep in thought. She draws attention to physical details, using luminous colours. The photographic backgrounds, faces and fingernails are often highlighted in bright orange. She says, "I can’t undo that photographic training – it’s embedded in how I begin a painting". She uses photos of Art Deco interiors from Pinterest and Instagram as a starting point. American painters Barkley L. Hendricks and Kerry James Marshall inspire her. Both had a huge influence on Black American portraiture.

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Reviews from Avant collectors

  • Absolutely gorgeous! I have admired Danielle McKinney's work and Shelter is exceptionally beautiful. The colors, the texture - I was delighted when I opened the box. The frame and floating presentation is also perfectly matched to the beauty of the piece. Also, well done on the shipping - it came thoroughly protected. Thank you!

  • Top tier experience all around. The print quality is amazing, the packaging was superb, and the process was seamless. I am a huge fan of Avant Arte and I hope to continue collecting from you.

  • Beautiful piece! Love it so much

  • amazing experience throughout, from the actual purchase to the delivery. it was well package and the unboxing was a sweet experience! can’t wait to have it framed and to hang it on my wall!

  • Thanks for keeping me in the loop during the entire process. The packaging of the item was exceptional.

  • amazing piece. love the frame and unbox experience

  • What a breathtakingly beautiful art print! What a great service!

  • its simply wonderful. the quality is beautiful. thanks to all at AA.


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