Biography

Daniel Matthew York’s collection of figurative paintings, which he calls “Delusionism,” aim to provide his viewers an escape from the everyday delusions they might have constructed in their lives, using art as a medium to “wake people up” from these facades. His work emphasizes dramatic lighting, unsettling facial expressions, and a juxtaposition of beauty and humor to explore human identity and societal facades. He deeply roots his approach to art in the idea of art as a form of communication, striving to imbue his pieces with meanings that resonate over time, akin to the works of old masters. York’s philosophy includes a critique of the role of technology in art, particularly Al, asserting that while technology can replicate styles, it misses the intrinsic “life” and personal touch that a human artist imparts into their work. His art challenges viewers to engage critically with their own perceptions and realities, advocating for a deeper connection with art beyond surface-level interaction.

York has been influenced by aspects of many artists throughout time, such as those of the classic masters, the incredibly imbued life and skin tones of Titian, the raw beauty of works produced by Peter Paul Rubens and Pierre Guerin, the drama and lighting of Mattia Preti and Caravaggio, the dark subjects painted by Jusepe de Ribera, and on up to more contemporary painters such as Lisa Yuskavage and John Currin. Of his collections, York states, “I try to capture that particular moment of a person, whether they are truly there, exposing their hidden emotions, existing as facades over facades until they no longer exist, or they’re just simply being ridiculous.” In reference to his “Delusionism” collection, he explains, “I just want you to see this whole thing you’ve made yourself into.” On his subject matter, he states, “I spent many years trying to force my style and what I am as an artist, but no matter what I painted, it just came out that way. At some point, I just stopped fighting it.”

Growing up outside of Chicago, Illinois, York remembers his grade school art teachers helping his work evolve and hold true to his innate provocative style and dark themes. While considering art school, York instead turned to a professional career in music, playing and working with many talented musicians and Grammy award-winning producers. Although now his career has come full circle, his early musical influences of his own music and bands like Faith No More and The Misfits echo in his raw, humorous, and in-your-face visual work today. York is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee.

York exhibited in solo shows at the Nashville Arts Arcade and group shows like Thriller at the Lorenzo Swinton Gallery in 2024. His public installations include a permanent display of his Attraction Series at Hotel Covington (Cincinnati, OH). York gained recognition in both the art and media world, with features on several platforms such as Planet Comedy, Beginner’s Mind Show, and The Tom Benty Show, where he discusses the impact of work and the role of art in other industries like business and finance. He received the Excellence Award at the Titian Art Competition in 2024 and holds the Future of Art Global Masterpiece Award.