About Danyal
Danyal de Gruchy, a self-taught mixed media artist based in Camden, NSW, Australia, combines various mark-making and collage techniques to create layered, detailed artworks. Her creations invite viewers to explore their beliefs and connection to Spirit, reflecting her introspective journey through meditative and ethereal states.
By integrating sacred ceremonies and nature, Danyal crafts pieces that weave together symbolism, colour, and form to mirror life’s energetic layers. Each work is a unique blend of the tangible and the ineffable, capturing universal knowledge and the magic of nature. Her art serves as a testament to the profound beauty of existence and invites others to experience its boundless wonder.
Danyal de Gruchy has been chosen as a finalist in the Stanthorpe Art Prize, the EQUS Quantum Art Prize, the Camden Art Prize and the Bluethumb Art Prize. She has participated in exhibitions at Camden Digital Arts and Culture Centre, Flow Studios, Space Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, The Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Contemporary Art Society of Victoria Inc, Melbourne. Danyal has also been selling her work successfully through the online gallery Bluethumb for the past four years. Her works reside in private collections in Australia, London, New York, Florida and Spain.
Artistic Process
1. Research: In this initial phase, I immerse myself in a rich tapestry of inspiration, seeking to fill my creative well with diverse and stimulating ideas. I am guided by the threads of what ignites my curiosity and passion, allowing my interests to steer the journey. Like Alice navigating the wonders of Wonderland, I attentively follow symbols, clues, and synchronicities, allowing these elements to lead me deeper into realms of exploration.
My areas of fascination include quantum physics, esoteric sciences, botanicals, symbology, spirituality, and gematria, as well as cuneiform, biology, and ancient mysteries. I delve into subjects such as sacred geometry, botanicals and geology while exploring the realms of cymatics, frequencies, and energy. Concepts such as multiverses, philosophy, religion, hermeticism, psychedelia, and alternative life forms also captivate my imagination. Each topic serves as a stepping stone, guiding me through a complex and interconnected web of knowledge that fuels my artistic vision.
2. Creation: My process begins with experimentation using acrylic paint, watercolour, ink, cut-up collage pieces, hand-marbled paper, and acrylic-poured “skins.” Guided by my mood, thoughts, and emotions, I make spontaneous marks that reveal deeper layers of my inner world and the universe’s messages. This stage is a playful collaboration with the universe, where happy accidents and synchronicities guide the creation.
3. Destruction: In the next phase, I meticulously select and cut out my favourite elements from the experimental pieces. This stage requires a blend of instinct and decisiveness, much like Michelangelo’s intuitive approach to sculpting. It involves discerning which marks to keep and which to discard, often guided by a deep, inexplicable knowing. I approach this task with minimal overthinking, sometimes multitasking with music or podcasts to keep my mind engaged while my hands work.
4. Preparation: I then prepare multiple canvases and panels with layers of gesso primer and coloured backgrounds. I may sketch rough ideas, sometimes incorporating anatomical diagrams or starting spontaneously without a plan. This preparation sets the stage for the subsequent creative process.
5. Contemplation: This stage is where the real magic happens. I spread out all my pieces and marks on the floor, arranging them like a jigsaw puzzle or a stained glass window. This process is a reflection of how I approach life: contemplating each piece and fitting them together to create something new and beautiful. The fragments are assembled until a sense of balance is achieved, with archival-quality mediums used to encase each element in an "acrylic sandwich." Acrylic skins are also integrated, adding texture and depth.
6. Life Force: The final stage, "consciousness time" or “breathing the life force into the art,” involves applying countless tiny dots and particle-like shapes with ink and acrylic. Each dot symbolizes a cosmic breath, representing the expansive energy of the universe. The piece is completed when there’s no more space to add additional dots, signifying the artwork’s fullness and vibrancy.
7. Rest: At this stage, I embrace a period of intentional respite, allowing my mind to clear and rejuvenate. I disengage from all activities and reconnect with nature, grounding myself through its serene presence. I engage in cleansing rituals for both body and mind, immersing myself in water to refresh and renew.
My focus turns to nourishment and cleanliness; I adopt a diet of pure, wholesome foods, tidy my surroundings, and set aside all ongoing projects. This deliberate act of letting go creates space within my vessel—body, mind, and heart—preparing me to be replenished with fresh ideas, concepts, and inspirations. Through this process of rest and recharging, I create the conditions necessary to embark once again on the creative journey, ready to explore anew.
Duration of Creation
The time required to complete my pieces varies greatly and often extends over an extraordinarily long period. Patience and a steady hand are crucial, as the process can be quite meditative for me. Creating art serves as a remedy for my tendency towards anxiety, providing a space where I am fully immersed in the present moment, free from overthinking about the past or future.
Some of my pieces have taken over 2000 hours to complete, while even smaller works may require several weeks. I often work on at least ten pieces simultaneously, guided by a magnetic pull toward each one. I only engage with a piece when I feel a genuine connection to it—if I’m not “feeling” it, I don’t force it.
Sometimes, I work on a piece only when I’m in a positive frame of mind, which can result in a project taking years to complete. Occasionally, I’ll set a piece aside when I reach a creative impasse, returning to it years later with a newfound clarity that makes finishing it feel effortless. Sometimes, the work needs time and space to evolve, allowing it to reveal its true direction when it’s ready.