"The greatest Revolution would be PEACE, no more wars, no more polluting our Mother Earth, birth control: rich countries should give contraceptives of all kinds to poor countries."

Guido Daniele: What a Wonderful World

Guido Daniele was born in Soverato (CZ - Italy) in 1950 and now lives and works in Milan. From 1964 to 1968 he attended Brera artistic High School. He graduated from Brera School of Arts (major in sculpturing) in 1972. He lived in India since 1972 to 1974 where he attended the Tankas school in Dharamsala. Since 1968 he has been painting and participating to personal and group art exhibitions. In 1972 he started working as hyper-realistic illustrator, in co-operation with major editing and advertising companies, using and testing different painting techniques. Since 1986 he has been working and improving his personal usage of airbrush: he paints back-drops in different sizes (the biggest ones can be 400 square metres) for artistic and advertising pictures, tv commercials and tv programmes. He also creates trompe l'oeil, both in private houses and public buildings. In 1990 he added a new artistic experience to his previous ones: using the body painting technique he creates and paints models bodies for different situations such as advertising pictures and commercials, fashion events and exhibitions.

(Photo: Guido Daniele / Artwork © by Guido Daniele)

Its search started in 2000 about "Handimals" maked with the method of body painting on hands has a great international interest. Daniele is committed to wildlife protection and has become increasingly involved with charities such as WWF, the Jane Goodall Institute, Dolphin Aid, Innocence in Danger, PLAN, APNEEF and Liliane Fonds.

Interview by Michael Limnios / Artworks © by Guido Daniele 

How has the Art, Music and Counterculture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

In 1968 I was 18 years old, I left home and went to live in an attic with my girlfriend and we painted canvases all day listening to music from South America, India, Bali, Japan; a beautiful bohemian life, which then led me to travel to those places.

How do you describe your artwork’s philosophy? Where does your creative drive come from? What is the driving force behind your continuous support for your art?

Love for nature, for animals, for PEACE in the World.

What moment changed your life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

I have lived every day of my life intensely and I have been lucky enough to travel the world seeing the good and the bad in many different countries; this made me grow every day.

How does music affect your mood and inspiration? Area, PFM, Goblin, The Trip, Acquaint Fragile, etc. What were the reasons that made Italy in the 1970s to be a center of Prog Rock researches and experiments?

I always listen to music, especially when I paint, but also when I cook or take a shower. The music of the 70s is unsurpassed, I have listened to Pink Floyd thousands of times and I never get tired of it, but also the Beatles, Elton John, Santana, Fabrizio De Andrè, Tracy Chapman, Leonard Cohen...

"In 1972 I encountered Buddhist Culture and Philosophy in Dharamsala in India, since then I have followed many of their principles of Peace and respect for every living being on the Planet. I dedicate my time to my family, my children and my granddaughters... I would like to leave a better future for them, I have already had a beautiful life and I consider myself very lucky." (Photos: Guido Daniele & Keith Haring, Rotonda de La Besana, Milano 1986; Handimals / Artwork © by Guido Daniele; Guido Daniele, 1986)

What is the impact of Art on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want your artwork to affect people?

Art is the search for "BEAUTIFUL" in all its forms (sculpture, painting, architecture, music, etc..) and is also a primary need of the human being. The oldest forms of art of primitive man were the decorations of cave walls and the decoration of the body.

In your opinion, what is the biggest revolution which can be realized today? What do you think the major changes will be in near or far future of the world?

The greatest Revolution would be PEACE, no more wars, no more polluting our Mother Earth, birth control: rich countries should give contraceptives of all kinds to poor countries.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experiences in the paths of art? What do you think is key to a life well lived?

In 1972 I encountered Buddhist Culture and Philosophy in Dharamsala in India, since then I have followed many of their principles of Peace and respect for every living being on the Planet.

I dedicate my time to my family, my children and my granddaughters... I would like to leave a better future for them, I have already had a beautiful life and I consider myself very lucky.

Guido Daniele - Home

"I have lived every day of my life intensely and I have been lucky enough to travel the world seeing the good and the bad in many different countries; this made me grow every day." (Guido Daniele / Photo © by Luigi Gattinara; Shawn Phillips' Furthermore / Artwork © by Guido Daniele, 1974; 'Handimals' maked with the method of body painting on hands / Artwork © by Guido Daniele)