Danny Cassese: A Local Look at Abstract Art

Forced to stay inside amid lockdowns across the nation, Danny Cassese took full advantage of this downtime by finding solace and growth in painting. This hobby has quickly turned into much more as his work has been displayed in Curio machines around App State’s campus, published in The Peel Review, and established through sales of prints and magnets on his website. From a student taking an introduction to visual arts course and watching a documentary about Basquiat — Danny says creating art is “not something I can put into words. It's just something that watching that documentary just kind of opened something in me.” ​ Born in Huntington, New York, Danny Cassese lived with his grandmother where he remembers his third birthday party, riding his bike, or getting blueberry pancakes at a diner. He then moved from Apex to Holly Springs, North Carolina. Danny says that his experiences are what have shaped him into who he is. “I think that's had a lot more impact because it's made me into an open and receiving person which I think is the most important thing when it comes to art, [it] is just [about] being open and receiving. Not even to external things, but the internal things, which is probably more important than anything else.” These internal things reveal a great deal about Cassese’s inspirations and process. They offer a window of his approach of creating in such a flexible medium. ​

Cassesse’s paintings reflect his intelligence as they feature powerful combinations of abstract figures and lively imagery. There is inspiration from stories of the Bible, poetry, jazz, Carl Jung, and hip hop that is hidden and buried in his work. Danny’s relationship to music, writing, performance, film, and television places him within the wider cultural context of our time. He also says that “growth is what inspires me. I think it's the most important thing that a person can do for themselves... is allow themselves space for growth, but at the same time, be putting in effort to make sure that growth is happening.” One of his biggest artistic influences who somewhat jump-started his interest in painting is Basquiat. When asked how Basquiat inspired him, Danny answered succinctly: “I think the rawness and the kind of honesty that's in his painting and his ability to make what he wants regardless of outside influence. He still was open and receiving [of] outside influence, but he didn't let that change the core of his creativity, which is something I think a lot of people struggle with.” Danny summarizes some of his biggest obstacles and explains how art has been an outlet. “[Art] is something that you can one hundred percent put your energy into and then it's kind of solidified there and represented. And it's not something that can come back to like hurt you in any way.” Art has taught him to somewhat become desensitized to being unmotivated. When asked what makes his art different, Danny replied “I genuinely 100% feel like anybody could do what I'm doing. You just have to be open and receptive. Cause there's no technical skill involved with anything I've done. It's all just feeling and being open.” ​ Danny’s art is untethered to the notions of tasteor intention. Rather, they are graffiti inspired, sometimes collaged, colorful, full of symbols and text, splatters and streaks of multicolored paints, sporadic brushwork, that conceptualizes and exhibits Danny’s own concepts of self-identity and discovery. “Sometimes it can be more conceptual, but it always starts and ends with a feeling.” Danny’s canvases are aesthetic proof, catching the drips from an imaginative mind. He beautifully reflects the environment and culture around him and paints it as a new piece of art. ​ He says he is grateful for “how many people are so enthusiastic about helping their friends out when it comes to creative means. I've actually had a couple people talk to me because their roommate has my art up in their apartment. I think it's gaining attention from the right people.” His first time selling an original painting was to his old boss. After being shown pictures and expressing complete support, his boss purchased the piece. Danny says “it was kind of surreal” to have someone be so enthusiastic and interested in what he creates. Cassese says that to be an artist you need to be open, meaning “in every sense of the word it's being open emotionally and personally and interpersonally and spiritually. Just in every possible way you could fit it.” Danny’s little background in art and working intuitively reveals how anyone can become a deliberative artist with broad knowledge and a unique creative slant. To anyone looking for a new creative outlet or looking for guidance, follow Danny’s advice to his younger self: “Trust the process.”