Sunshine

AVAILABLE

On view at the SAM Gallery at the Seattle Art Museum from August 6th - August 31st as part of the group show Overcast. Sunshine, is a continuation of the elements and iconography I first explored in my March 2025 show Monuments of Play at SAM Gallery, which opened in tandem with the Ai Weiwei exhibition. The show planted the seed for Sunshine, prompting a deeper look into how our early experiences—especially those rooted in play—shape the ways we move through the world.

With Sunshine, the stacked, blocky clouds hint at LEGO structures—a nod to impermanence and a kind of modular optimism. The top is finished with brightly painted wooden knobs that mimic LEGO bricks and turn the geometric sky into a tangible surface that bridges painting with sculpture. The palette is intentionally vivid. Crisp blue sky, bright white clouds, cheerful oranges, and warm yellows remind us that no matter how dark or “overcast” the sky appears to be, the sun is always shining above the clouds. 

Zero, my character based on a basketball, is a recurring mascot and instigator of adventure in my work. In Sunshine, he spins with a grin towards the hoop, which is rendered in realism and anchors the piece in a kind of surreal clarity. The smiley face sticker—creased, shiny, familiar—is a universal call to remember to never take anything too seriously.

Materials: Oil & acrylic on wood panel with cutout attachments and sculptural toy brick knobs.
Size: 38"w x 37"h x 2.375"d 
Hanging Mechanism: wired & d-ring
Shipping: Buyer is responsible for shipping and import custom fees.
Pricing: contact hi@danko.com