Danny Minnick Natas #3

This piece is part of the suite of 2022 show 'Turning Tricks' by Michèle Lamy and Danny Minnick, a tribute to some of southern California’s most iconic skate locations. This unique skateboard, designed by Danny Minnick is accompanied by a woodblock print

Danny Minnick is an American Neo-Expressionist painter, professional skateboarder, skateboard cinematographer, actor and director. Born in Seattle, Washington, Minnick currently lives and works in Los Angeles and New York City. Minnick is known for his vibrant painting style and for approaching his work with an instinctive sense of wonder and curiosity. He attributes his success to “karma, fate and a lot of hard work”. Preferring to work on large scale canvases, Minnick is able to convey a formidable aesthetic presence and visceral experience. His commonly painted figure, an entity named “Character”, is a symbol of the “positive energy” that he wishes to spread worldwide. In addition to many international exhibitions; Minnick’s works can be viewed at Miami's Wynwood Wall (Miami, FL), Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel (Bethlehem, Palestine) and the Barbican Underground Station (London, UK).

Minnick’s painting, Portrait of Basquiat Being Welcomed By The Metropolitan Police, 2017, is an inspired and compelling response to Banksy’s homage to Jean Michel Basquiat from the Basquiat Exhibition at The Barbican Centre, London. Minnick depicts Character arriving by skateboard and leaping through the air to place a crown on the head of Banksy’s Basquiat figure. This unofficial but highly respected response to Banksy has been permanently preserved by The Barbican Centre with the approval of The City of London.

Minnick’s work reflects his positive life experiences and fulfilling career. He has filmed, directed and self-distributed five feature-length street skate films, including Brotherly Love and Genie of the Lamp, which premiered at the King Kat Theater (Seattle, WA). In 2006, the title Skateboard Cinematographer was bestowed upon Minnick for the feature films Larry Clark's Wassup Rockers and Chris Fisher’s Dirty. A Lifetime Member of The Actors Studio, Minnick has trained with acting coach William Alderson who studied under the iconic Sanford Meisner. Minnick’s successful film runs also include Brotherly Love, which he produced, directed and edited, Balance in the World of Chaos, Fulfill the Dream and additional projects for Thrasher Magazine, 411 Video Magazine and Transworld Skateboarding.