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Which art books, prints and posters are available by and about this artist? Here is a sample of items of interest to a typical collector:
In 2024, Daniel Gordon began a series of black-and-white photographs that delve into transparency, light, and shadow, inviting viewers into an active process of questioning reality versus perceived interpretation. Objects at Hand centers on familiar objects found in his home and studio— such as glasses, kitchenware, and stationery—arranged in striking tableaux that probe the relationship between images and objects. Many objects in his compositions appear to have a translucent quality, giving the impression that one can peer though, yet, in reality, the photographed object is entirely opaque. This subtle contradiction between appearance and reality complicates the viewing experience, compelling a closer, more intentional gaze.
Presented entirely in grayscale and without the distraction of color, Gordon’s photographs emphasize rhythm and form through dramatic shadows cast by his studio lighting, lending the images a gravitas reminiscent of canonical modernist photography. In addition to the photographs from this new body of work, Objects at Hand includes a conversation between Gordon and friend and fellow artist Lucas Blalock, exploring the ways in which their respective studio practices continue to evolve.
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Daniel Gordon, American (b. 1980, Brooklyn, NY)
Gordon is a contemporary artist whose work sits at the intersection of photography, sculpture, and collage. A graduate of Bard College (BA) and the Yale School of Art (MFA), Gordon has spent his career dismantling the traditional "decisive moment" of photography in favor of a labor-intensive, physical construction of images.
Gordon’s practice is defined by a unique, cyclical process that bridges the gap between digital sourcing and physical craftsmanship. His work typically follows a distinct "building" philosophy:
Gordon has been a prominent figure in the contemporary art world for over a decade, with a career highlighted by:
In his latest series, Objects at Hand, Gordon uses grayscale to explore "perceived interpretation." He creates objects that appear translucent or light-filled, despite being made of entirely opaque materials. By stripping away color, his recent work emphasizes rhythm and dramatic shadows, echoing the gravitas of canonical modernist photography. His process forces the viewer to acknowledge the "objectness" of a photograph. He treats the image not just as a window into a scene, but as a physical thing that has been built and handled.
"Many objects in his compositions appear to have a translucent quality... yet, in reality, the photographed object is entirely opaque. This subtle contradiction... compels a closer, more intentional gaze." — Radius Books
Inspired by his interest in the popularity of certain subjects on the internet, houseplants among them, Gordon meticulously cuts up pictures found online to create sculptural and fantastical still lifes. He uses photography not to show reality, but to present a new version of it. The crumpled paper and mix of realistic and unnatural colors render the objects slightly goofy. “Without seams and faults and limitations, my project would be very different,” Gordon says. “The seamlessness of the ether is boring to me, but the materialization of that ether, I think, can be very interesting.” His pieces are a perfect marriage of digital and analog processes and of high and low artistic references, complicating what is understood as sculpture, photography, painting, and the cutout.
Only a handful of copies were signed. The signature and colophon are in the small flap on bottom right of last page/back cover.