Daniel Popper is a South African multidisciplinary artist and sculptor renowned for his monumental public art installations that complexly weave together themes of nature, humanity, and the environment. His work often features larger-than-life figures that prod those who perceive them to intensely engage with their surroundings. Thus, through his unique approach, he has become a key figure in the contemporary art scene and, for the most part, known for integrating greenery and plant life into his enigmatic sculptures.
Daniel Popper’s Artistic Vision and Background
Born in South Africa in 1983, Daniel’s colossal sculptures, in the main, merge the organic spirit of nature with the imaginative essence of the divine. Even from a young age, he was drawn to the influence and beauty of the natural world, a fascination that would go on to shape the core of his creative practice.
His artistic journey is marked by a consistent theme: the symbiotic relationship between humanity and nature. Thus, the sculptures are not simply static objects but also experiences that call for contemplation, interaction, and a re-evaluation of humans’ place within the ecosystem. His quixotic, large-scale figures are crafted from materials like wood, fiberglass, and Fiber Glass Reinforced Cement (FGRC), and evoke a sense of the sacred and mystical. They habitually incorporate human figures penetrated by canopies of foliage, blurring the boundaries between nature and the human form. The sculptures, every so often, transform public and private spaces into surreal environments, allowing viewers to engage with hybrid entities that blend elements of nature and humanity.
In an artistic journey deeply rooted in the appreciation of the natural world, Daniel believes that art should nurture connections between people and their environment, a philosophy that is evident in all his works. His sculptures often depict human-like forms that are intertwined with elements of nature, stressing the notion of the interconnectedness of all living things. This idea has led him to create installations for various music festivals and public spaces around the world, where he, also, combines sculpture with performance art to create immersive experiences.
Often, these sculptures serve as stages, gateways, or chapels at major art and music festivals such as Afrikaburn, Boom Festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, and Electric Forest. His installations, such as those at Morton Arboretum and EJI’s New Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, Alabama, carry on this tradition, building a connection between viewers and the restorative power of nature. For instance, the Human+Nature installation which is one of his most notable works and has been showcased at the Morton Arboretum near Chicago features several large-scale sculptures designed to celebrate the relationship between humans and nature. The installation aims to inspire awe and contemplation about people’s role within the ecosystem, aligning perfectly with the arboretum's mission to promote environmental education and conservation.
Daniel Popper’s Artistic Works
One of Daniel's most striking works, "Thrive," exemplifies the seamless integration of the human and the natural. Erected in 2020 at the Society Las Olas building in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the 30-foot-tall concrete figure appears to be ripping open its own chest, revealing a lush, fern-covered archway within. The sculpture's sheer scale and the mesmerizing contrast between its rugged exterior and its verdant interior prods visitors to step inside and become immersed in the mystical interplay of the natural and the divine.
In addition to “Thrive”, Daniel has, also, created other significant works that highlight his enthusiasm about integrating nature into art. At the Morton Arboretum, such pieces as Ginkgo, which features a woman's face framed by ginkgo leaves celebrate the arboretum's centennial and its commitment to tree conservation. Other sculptures like Mycelia and Ephemera further explore themes associated with fungi and plant life, encouraging people to reflect on the biodiversity present in their surroundings.
Another of the Cape Town-based artist’s notable sculptures is "UMI", a maternal figure gently cradling her bump. The 20.5-foot-tall figure appears to be made from intertwined branches, capturing an intimate moment of impending motherhood. The title "UMI" is derived from an Arabic word meaning "mother" or "my mother". Still, yet another remarkable piece is "Heartwood", where a woman's face is split into two, with leaves fluttering across her body. Visitors are encouraged to pass through the middle, where they can see a human fingerprint on one side and the heartwood of a tree on the other. This sculpture symbolizes the interconnectedness between people and trees.
Furthermore, the multidisciplinary artists’ work extends far away from traditional gallery settings. He has, as previously noted, become renowned for his large-scale, site-specific installations at music carnivals and public spaces around the world. At Afrikaburn, Boom Festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, and countless other events, his sculptures have been acting as centerpieces that beckon festival-goers to engage with the natural world in a whole new totally immersive way. One such work, "Modem Swamp," towered over the Modem Festival in Croatia in 2019. The colossal figure, crafted from a combination of glass-reinforced concrete, wood, and fiberglass, seemed to emerge from the landscape itself, its form punctuated by striking projections that further distorted the lines between the organic and the technological.
Interactive Experiences and Environmental Themes
A hallmark of Daniel's work is its interactivity; he designs his installations not just to be viewed but experienced. They seem to bid audiences to physically engage with them, thus nurturing a deeper connection between viewers and the natural elements represented in his work. For instance, in “Thrive”, as people walk through the fern-covered archway, they are inspired to contemplate their own relationship with nature and reflect on themes of vulnerability and resilience.
The environmental themes present in the artistic works, also, give them the quality of extending beyond mere aesthetics; they become a call to action regarding ecological awareness and conservation. With his use of natural materials and incorporation of living plants into his sculptures, Daniel raises questions about sustainability and humans’ responsibility towards the planet. His art, therefore, could be seen as a prompt to take note of the delicate balance between humanity and nature. It urges people to consider how their actions impact the environment.
Also, generally, the installations often serve as communal spaces where people can gather, interact, and share experiences. This aspect is particularly evident in his works at music festivals where art meets performance, creating dynamic environments that celebrate creativity and community spirit. Thus, aside from their general aesthetics, Daniel’s works encourage dialogue about ecological issues while simultaneously offering a space for reflection on personal growth and community resilience.
Some of Daniel Popper's Sculptures With Greens
Here, you can find some notable examples of Daniel Popper's sculptures, including his most famous works incorporating greens.
Boom Festival
Daniel Popper:
"Amazing moment of ritual performance captured at @boomfestivalofficial. 🙏 @raul for the 🔥 pic."
Daniel Popper at Art With Me in Tulum, Mexico
The Art With Me festival offers experiences across multiple platforms that immerse, inspire, and activate attendees and followers. The mission of the festival is to preserve the natural environment and foster artistic development through conscious and sustainable practice. It's a community-driven festival that combines art, music, workshops, wellness, and cultural experiences into a 5-day and 4-night journey to inspire change and nurture personal growth.
Daniel Popper:
"The amazing @artwithmetulum festival has sadly come to an end for this year . But my piece is still up for one more day before we pack her up safely to be permanently installed at @ahautulum later this year."
Electric Forest Festival With Daniel Popper
Daniel Popper:
"Thank you @electric_forest. That was awesome ! What a fantastic production with some of the best peeps in the festival business. We had quite a bit of work out there this year but these made me smile the most . I had such fun building these "Forest Dawgies".
A-Fest With Daniel Popper
A-Fest is an invite-only community of 2000+ extraordinary people from 50+ countries who come together to connect, grow, and learn from the world's best teachers. It takes place once a year in 5-star paradise locations across the world. These events gather an extraordinary community of change-makers and visionaries who are driven by epic ideas to impact the world – entrepreneurs, experts, artists, leaders, innovators, visionaries, and more. A-Fest is like stepping into a different reality of wonder and magic.
Daniel Popper:
"Thank you @afest and @mindvalley for inviting me to do this installation for you. It was an amazing experience all round. I didn't know much about A-fest but was open to it and it turned out to be one of the best events I've ever attended. The people I met where some of the most powerful humans I've encountered. Genuinely focused on personal growth and making this spec of dust a better place. I am deeply grateful to have met so many of you, as described by @jasonlsilva - "woke humans". This piece #envisioningyourfuture was built in collaboration with a bunch of amazing Balinese craftsmen. Behold their mastery! Looking forward to many more projects together!"
Permanent Installation of Daniel Popper Sculpture at Fort Lauderdale Florida
His latest piece titled Thrive stands nearly 30 feet tall and is constructed from 14 tons of glass fiber-reinforced concrete. The piece was recently unveiled at Society Las Olas, a residential complex in Fort Lauderdale, and will function as a permanent public art installation on the ground floor.
"Finally got to complete our install our first piece of 2020. THRIVE is a 14 ton Glass Fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) permenent install in Down Town Fort Lauderdale Florida. For @society.lasolas. Thank you to @shear.ryan and PMG property markets group for giving me the opportunity to create this artpiece to the city of Fort Lauderdale."
And, There's More...
The Morton Arboretum in Chigaco
One of his more recent installations, aptly named Human + Nature, can be admired at The Morton Arboretum just outside of Chicago. The five figures are spread across the 1,700 acres of the arboretum and are constructed of wood, glass-reinforced concrete, fiberglass, and steel.
Paying homage to nature's endurance and diversity, the installations seem to have popped out of the ground and added an almost poetic aesthetic to the place. All the figures are female and vary in pose, material, and meaning. Human + Nature is Daniel Popper's largest exhibition to date.
"After a very long wait with many obstacles and delays, I am beyond excited to officially announce that my exhibition Human Nature comprising of 5 new semi-permanent art pieces will be opening on the 28th of May at the @mortonarb."
A Walking Tour of Daniel Popper's Awe-Inspiring Sculptures
The exhibition will remain on the grounds of the arboretum for one year and visitors can schedule a walking tour through the website of The Morton Arboretum. Daniel Popper will personally lead the visitors on their 2-hour walk of 1 1/2 miles on June 5th and elaborate on his awe-inspiring sculptures. The program has already been sold out.
See More of His Majestic Art
Each sculpture by Daniel Popper is constructed at a monumental scale, standing up to 26 feet tall and weighing multiple metric tons. See more of his work on Instagram.
