IAN DAVE KNIFE™
Master Sculptor - New York City Tree stump Street Artist, Painter , Community Organizer, Activist, Instructor
ARTIST STATEMENT
Ian Dave Knife™ was raised in Zimbabwe and based in New York, my work as an artist and political activist challenges the traditional norms of Zimbabwe Shona stone sculpture. My choice of artistic materials for the past 25 years both advances and subverts the traditional stone sculpture that dominates Zimbabwean art. A current piece incorporates buffalo horn, which is used by medicine men in Zimbabwe to empower and strengthen the warrior before battle. The shaman invests the buffalo horn with meaning that in turn influences the warriors’ belief and actions, similar to how wielding an AK47 or a Bible creates feelings of power in the user. I incorporate my personal experience as an African man as well as Black world history to create objects of influence and power. I intend my work to have a profound impact on viewers, raising their consciousness to the importance of Black culture in the global community. My work speaks in the current climate, and of times past where many believe Black history has no relevance. I incorporate varied and diverse textures, shapes and forms in my creative process. When sculpting stone with traditional African stone carving adzes, I enter a rhythmic trance state where the stone literally talks to me – it opens ups and shows me the possibilities of what is hiding inside. My choice of materials brings to my work an almost shamanistic effect. I use living plants, wood, bones, stone, and human hair to instill power and the rituals needed for its expression in the viewer. My art evokes traditional and cultural values, giving voice to those who are often unheard, and reveals the panorama of African history. My intention is to draw the viewer in with shapes, images, textures, and mixed media designs, narrating stories of voyages and migrations. My ability to connect with and listen to the stone creates art that speaks of new and unpredictable cycles, thoughts, and associations. I hope to create an experiential exchange challenging the viewer’s perceptions, perspectives, and assumptions. My current projects for 2020 include executing 14 street art sculptures on tree stumps around New York City to beautify the city where the city leaves stumps after trees a cut down.
Extensive national and international exhibitions and several works in museum collection
ALL ART WORK FOR SALE CLICK THE LINK :
https://www.artpal.com/IanDaveKnife
1987 - 91 - The Workshop studio Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
1990 - Group show National art Gallery of Zimbabwe
1990- Group show ,Gallery Delta . Harare Zimbabwe
1991 Group show National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe
1999 - solo exhibit , Edinburgh Scotland.
2000 - 03 ArtCity artists movement , Ventura CA.
2001 - Group show ArtyCity Studios , Ventura , CA
2002 - Santa fe International Folk Art Festival.
2003 - Solo exhibit, Shona Sol Gallery , Santa fe, NM
2004 -07 - Ian D Knife Gallery & Studio . Taos NM
2005 - Group show , Taos Fall Art Festival. Taos NM
2006 - Walden Fine Arts Taos New Mexico.
2007 - Wilder Nightingale Gallery, Taos New Mexico
2004-12 Taos Artist Colony , Taos New Mexico.
2018-19 Community gardens of New York.
2018-19 The Art Students League of New York.
2019 - Workshop lead for LUNGS Harvest Festival
2019 - Guest lecturer at Norwich University, Vermont.
2019 -Art Instructor , The Compleat Sculptor, Ne York
2019 - Group show , TBG Gallery , New York.
2020- C.E.O Garden Artists Residency Project (GARP)
2021 - Nft creator
CLICK BELOW TO BECOME MY PATRON :
https://www.patreon.com/IanDaveKnife
NEWS AND MEDIA ARTICLES
https://patch.com/new-york/east-village/e-village-artist-transforms-tree-stump-face-sculpture
https://evgrieve.com/2019/12/the-anti-monkey-christ.html?m=1
https://nypost.com/2019/12/21/east-village-man-ian-dave-knife-turns-nyc-eyesores-into-street-art/
https://www.fox5ny.com/video/641029
https://indypendent.org/2020/01/winter-warriors-meet-the-new-yorkers-making-a-living-in-the-great-outdoors/
STONE CARVING CLASSES CLICK BELOW :
FEBRUARY 2020 CLASSES
https://shop.sculpt.com/200200-shona-stone-carving-class-february.html
MARCH 2020 CLASSES
https://shop.sculpt.com/200300-shona-stone-carving-class-march.html
LOCATIONS OF MY STREET ART IN NEW YORK CITY:
1). Tribute to Keith Haring - E 11 street Near 1st Ave NYC
2). Child in a cage - 1st Ave between E 9th st & St Mark's
3). Man down - St Mark's Place & 1st ave .NYC
4). Village Crocodile - ave A & E 6th street . NYC
5). King Rockefeller - Rockefeller lookout on Palisades parkway.
6). Prospect Park
7). East village flower- E 7th street near Ave D . NYC
https://www.coinvise.co/KnifeNFT
cryptoarts@yahoo.com
What's on my mind...
Fox5news piece on my street art
Ian Dave Knife Street artist
Fox5news New York new article
Fox5news piece on my street art
Ian Dave Knife Street artist
Fox5news New York new article
Shona Stone Carving Classes
Talking to the stone
Shona Stone Carving Classes
Shona Stone Carving Classes
Talking to the stone
Shona Stone Carving Classes
Shona Stone Carving Classes
Talking to the stone
Shona Stone Carving Classes
Shona stone sculpture classes NYC 2019-2020
Shona stone carving classes
Shona stone carving classes
Shona stone sculpture classes
Shona stone carving classes
Shona stone carving classes
Art Students League of New York
Art Students League of New York
my new location in Boulder Colorado
Studio 54 Boulder
my my new location in Boulder Colorado
NORTH BOULDER STUDIO TOUR
NOBO first Fridsys
North Boulder artists will have open studio night Meetvthe artistsvin thryre art studio and support your local artists
IAN DAVE KNIFE™
Master Sculptor - New York City Tree stump Street Artist, Painter , Community Organizer, Activist, Instructor
Master Sculptor/Street Artist
10 Dec 2010 opening at Wilder Nighting gale gallery in Taos
Ian D Knife art opening
new colony
art
THE MIRACLE OF MOSES
TEXAS LIMESTONE SCULPTURE ALL HAND CARVED
BRAND NEW WORKS
New works just in time for the fall.
Fresh Works
New sculptures by Ian Dave Knife for 2007.
'GREAT EXPECTATIONS
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING A ONE MAN SHOW FOR tAPFUMA GUTSA AT THE IAN D KNIFE GALLERY IN TAOS NEW MEXICO
IAN DAVE KNIFE™
Jan 12, 2020
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Traci
Sep 3, 2014
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John Griffis
Sep 17, 2006
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ian knife
Feb 3, 2011
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