Collection: Daniel Belardinelli

Born and raised in New York City, Belardinelli began drawing at an early age, often sketching patrons of his family’s restaurant. At 15, he became a regular at Studio 54 and Xenon, where the young Belardinelli met legendary artists such as Antonio Lopez, Larry Rivers, Andy Warhol and Christopher Makos, whose creativity greatly influenced him. Belardinelli was inspired by his dysfunctional family and upbringing which is represented in many of his pre 2011 paintings. The artist was also personally affected by the events of 9/11 – a last minute change of plans prevented Belardinelli from joining an uncle on the ill-fated Flight 93. Dysfunction, loss, love, struggle, happiness and the sounds, beat and culture of the nightclub scene resonate through Belardinelli’s work, which has been described as a punch in the face – vehement, playful, powerful, honest and strngelt humorous. Belardinelli is an autodidact that draws from experiences and living life and is compelled to document it in its truest form.

For the past 20 years Belardinelli has kept a daily painting journal which depicts events and feelings. These journal entries are the precursors to his larger works.

Belardinelli’s work has been included in High On Life – Transcending Addiction at the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM), in the traveling exhibition Revelations and reflections of American Self-Taught Artists, and in the Outsider Art Fair in New York City since 1999. Belardinelli does not work for the simple pleasure of creating, but is compelled to create as an almost historic account of life and the world we live in.

 Many different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds relate to his work because it speaks to each person directly and makes each person feel something uniquely their own.