Conversations with the Universe; an Art Odyssey

Anti-Tar Sands Activist Posters, from series titled Killing Earth

2012-01-15T00:02:00.000-08:00

Dirty Oil, Dirty Money

The Tar Sands project in Alberta, is Canada's embarrassment...The Tar Sands Project and The proposed Enbridge Pipeline are an environmental catastrophe writ large, and the oil produced there; Canada's version of Rhodesia's Blood Diamonds, is dirty oil and Dirty Oil is Dirty Money.

Foreign governments are putting money in our government's back pocket and seem to be calling the shots, even though the government says other wise.

It looks to many Canadians that Harper's government is making promises in bad faith, both to the citizens of Canada, and in any

back channel deals already made with foreign governments.

Their tactic seems to be, It's better to beg forgiveness than to ask for permission'. We the citizens of Canada must be consulted long before; what amounts to secret deals, are reached.

The Enbridge pipeline with all the back room deals facilitated by the Harper government and all their collective short-cuts on procedure, with all the lies and disrespect for Canadians rights to object and claim our say in what happens to and in our environment...that kind of behaviour has them (Federal Gov't) skating on that border of environmently traitorous activity.

If there were a World Court for Environmental Crimes Against Humanity, the Tars Sands Project players: Enbridge Energy, the Alberta Provincial government, and the Fedral Government would all become the co-accuesd for crimes against humanity.

The government will soon begin to realize they miscalculated in counting on Canadian complacency, to slip this past us. We the citizens of Canada do not react well to condescending language and the disingenuous actions of our government in this whole shady Tar Sands, Enbridge Pipeline affair. Our Prime Minister and his Environment Minister have both used belittleing language, and insulting accusations, particularly when it comes to, quote 'Foreign Money' funding the campaign in opposition to The pipeline and the Tar Sands. Meanwhile, China being the biggest future customer of Tar Sands oil, is undoubtly helping to fund the Harper government's plan to attempt pushing the pipeline through by any means neccesary.

The battle is on, so do take the time to care. Please step up and take a stand...sign petitions to stop the pipeline and the Tar Sands...do whatever you can to defeat this mad plan for the Enbridge pipeline.

On line you can go to the Dogwood Initiative website and sign their online petition to stop Supertankers on the BC coast at-

http://dogwoodinitiative.org/no-tankers/petition

Other than that keep checking in with the Avaaz petition website for any petitions to stop Canada's Embridge Pipeline...to date I haven't seen one, yet!

When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.

Cree Prophecy

Blue Heron Hunting

2011-10-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

Not quite 'Good Will Hunting'....

just a hungry Blue Heron hunting

I was in the right place at the right

time to catch this Blue Heron

feeding in the tidal pools.......

it looks a lot like Tai Chi really.

Dallas Road is above and behind us.

I advise turning the volume way down.

Flash Back- Japan's NHK news piece from 2002

2011-10-25T01:28:00.000-07:00

Fumiko and Keiko did an amazing job organizing and

arranging everything to do with this art exhibition.

Dan's big Vancouver Adventure September 30 - October 1 2009

2009-10-08T23:53:00.000-07:00

This is my delightful friend Kanae's first performance; with the assistance of her mother Junko,

during the Second International Piano Festival in Vancouver by people with Disabilities September 30 to October 3rd 2009.

The piece played was 'Vive La Canadienne' (Canadian Folk Song).

I am so proud of my friend Kanae, she makes the world a much brighter and happier place.

2009-05-11T02:04:00.000-07:00

The Crows Secret Society of Play

This was shot at the Dallas Rd dog walking area Victoria BC, May 10 2009 at 7:45pm.
These crows were amazing, they were playing collectively. They were flipping, rolling, spinning and dropping in joyous freefall. One moment they would be copying one another and in the next moment begin improvising on the latest move by the leader of the moment. For about 20 minutes I was in the middle of this aerial ballet as they flew past me and soared skyward in serious play.
Enjoy The Crows Secret Society of Play

The Crows Secret Society of Play - Part I

2009-03-29T20:53:00.000-07:00

I'm back from my art exhibition at the Tanashi Jinja Shinto Shrine in Tokyo.

This link to the video titled 'Ueno's Dance', was

performed November 29th 2008, and was

done in honor of my art exhibition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZacyoPSXas

Now you can see new work in my first Canadian show of 2009.
Below is the invitaion for my upcoming May 8th to May 22nd 2009 show.
You are all invited to come...see you there!

Opening Reception May 8th 7pm to 9pm

1311 Gladstone Avenue (Fernwood)

Show runs May 8th - 22nd 2009

Shimamura Shunpyo, Dan Sali and the Creative Spirit

2009-02-09T02:00:00.000-08:00

In 2006, when I first saw the photographs of Tanashi Jinja Honden and the carvings by Shimamura Shunpyo, I was emotionally moved by the other worldly beauty and power of his work.
I immediately noticed the carved birds decorating the intricately carved shrine structure and intuitively knew what they represented. Similarly, I portray birds as messengers, heavenly creatures inhabiting the space between heaven and earth.
I clearly saw the harmony and balance he achieved between the heavenly and earthly realms in his work.
In the week after Kaya Wataru informed me that the name of the exhibition would be The Spiritual World of Dan Sali; all the images I would paint seemed to be waiting for this moment to flow easily into my consciousness. That was a powerful moment for me, I felt a real sense of being a part of the creative flow and spirit energy of the Tanashi Jinja Shrine.

In Shimamura Shunpyo’s carving, I saw that he paid careful attention to the seven directions of, North, South, East, West, Above, Below and Within; thus creating work that flowed from Kami spirit, through Shimamura Shunpyo’s hands and into the wood.
For Shimamura, the creative process become a sacred process, uniting spirit, artist and material, creating a work of beauty that then became a conduit between humans and Kami spirit, or nature spirit.
My paintings are but a humble echo of the creative spirit and energy that Shimamura Shunpyo brought to his work. What Shimamura Shunpyo did with wood, I’ve sought to do with paper, paint and ink.
The images that I bring back from my journeys into creative space are not only in me, I believe these very same images are found in every one of us. I visually present them so that others may recognize these images within themselves, to find a unifying and positive message of hope, courage and beauty.
The motifs and images that Shimamura used created a spiritual language of carved images that clearly convey the Kami spirit.
Shimamura accomplished this by uniting two worlds in one symbolic space.
I admire that immensely, and in my own simple way, I pay tribute to his creative legacy.
Shimamura Shunpyo knew that an artist needed a creative sensitivity and intuition to respond to the whispered messages of the Kami or nature spirit that surrounded him.
I would suggest that theses messages of spirit and nature, are often quite simply a message of ‘Beauty,’ where rock, tree, grass, bird, animal, insect, woman and man, are balanced in a spiritual harmony with natures beauty.
When we walk in beauty, we walk with nature’s spirit. When we leave our sacred spaces and carrying this natural nature essence in our hearts and minds back into the world, this simple act brings change to world.
This message of ‘Beauty’ carries within it the healing of our planet.
Daniel E. Sali.
August 18, 2008

Link to my new gallery: COLLECTIVE WORKS GALLERY
http://www.collectiveworks.ca/site/mission_links_page.html

Up Coming Exhibition:

'Essential Spaces'

Paintings and Poetry

Works by Daniel E. Sali and Linda Lane Schmid

COLLECTIVE WORKS GALLERY

1311 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria BC

Opening reception May 8, 7pm - 9pm

Show runs May 8th to May 22nd

Link to linda Jane Schmid's website:

http://www.hornbyisland.net/LindaJane/index.htm

Art and Spirit - A personal Journey of Symbols

2009-01-03T21:44:00.000-08:00

2008-12-22T21:07:00.000-08:00

I'm back from my Japan Adventure and it will take me some time to upload more images and tell the stories that go with them.

The following Link is my Tokyo MX TV News story-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YXCTxGw2r0

Watch 'Ueno's Dance' on YouTube, Shot with Olympus FE-230

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZacyoPSXas
I was honored that this beautiful dance performance was arranged for my benifit.

Mount Fuji from the west lake 'Healing Village.'

Kaya-san gives me a tour of my exhibition. This was the first time I saw the work framed. My first thought when I saw my paintings in the sanctuary was, 'Wow! They look like they have always been here.' They really fit well in this setting.

My friend Itaku and I went to a katana sword exhibition and while there we had the chance to get all kitted out in a generals armor. If my legs were 20cm shorted it would look more impressive.

I took this photo of the Tanashi Jinja Shrine on November 2oth, which my first day to visit the shrine and see my exhibition.

This is one of several side gallery rooms leading to the shrines sanctuary. It was also one of two audience chambers I used during November 29th's big exhibition closing event.

I used photoshop to place me in this photo, I adde the mustache.

My first morning in Tokyo view of Mt.Fuji, from my hallway window

Asakusa Goju-no-To 5 tiered Pagoda

CS3 painting

Kurara Fire Tower, November 18 2008

This photo was taken at Herinji Temple, the Koi seem as if they are swimming in the sky.

One of my favorite photos from the workshop I gave for the Children at Kurara.

This gentleman is one of the residents of the Kurara seniors wellness center I had stayed at.

The Day Care/kindergarten school was on the main floor of the Kurara complex.

I Stayed at Kurara for the entire 20 days I was in Japan. It was a great facility and turned out to be the best place for me to stay in Tokyo. The food was great, and the staff were amazing. During my time at Kurara I made some really wonderful connections with my fellow room mates.

Someone was having fun at the Kurara workshop.

There were close to 50 children participating in the Kurara Christmas decorations workshop.

I had a blast being silly, getting laughs and great smiles from the Children.

CS3 painting of a street in Kawagoe Japan, also known as 'Little Edo."

'Being Koi' , CS3 painting

Golden Dragon Nebula. Created in CS3 PhotoShop, using a night photo taken from a moving car, of trafic tail lights and lit street decorations.

A Gagaku concert and dance performance at the Musashino Art University.

Gagaku drum design.

I was fortunate to participate in a Bonzai workshop lead by one of Tokyo's top Bonzai teachers.

A CS3 photoshop painting from Mount Fuji, west lake.

This is one cool Shinkansen

500 series, top speed 300 km.

2007/2008 Art Statement, Exhibition History

2008-07-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

'Sali Expresses His Expressionist Style Beautifully '

I am a Canadian artist living in Victoria BC, with works being shown both internationally and in Canada. My three past exhibitions have been in Japan and Victoria. My most recent shows, ‘Influences’ a two person showing at the Victoria Arts Connection gallery, and ‘The Art of the Book’, a group exhibition of Canadian artists and illustrators, shown in conjunction with The Pacific Festival of the Book in March of 2007. Sali’s work was featured in all the poster and promotional material for this event.
My images are created using watercolor, ink and acrylic mediums on archival paper, to achieve these detailed expressionist images. One art writer has said that, ‘Sali’s use of colour, pattern, shapes and form is symbolic and prayer-like, in the sense of the vision quest …his work is a product of many years of dedication to developing a personal vision that is rather outside contemporary concerns in art theory.’ Brian Grison – Focus 2007
I have been published in the Focus and the Western Sportsman magazines, as well as articles in a select group of Canadian and Japanese newspapers.
In the fall of 1989, my work was featured in the weekly Can-West Global Broadcasting System’s arts program ‘For Arts Sake.’ I was one of four Western Canadian artists featured in this one hour weekly documentary arts program.
In March of 2002 my work was also featured on Japan’s NHK TV’s evening news.
I have work is in both private and public collections in Canada, Japan and Europe.

Some thoughts behind my work

I think of reality as being comprised of infinite layers, spaces between and interconnections. As an artist I visually utilize these elemental states, layers, and interconnections, seeking to unite these layers into a temporary unity of beauty and harmony; threads of momentary illusion, seamlessly woven into the perceived reality of the moment.
Symmetry and symbolism are key elements throughout my art, which reflects the philosophy of balance in my life.
My keen interest in macro and microscopic patterns and shapes; as well as the spaces between objects in their various environments has influenced my art and my thinking.
And as such, I believe that the human journey of the spirit, mind and body, requires that we follow a multi-directional, multi-dimensional path. I think of the seven directions many tribal groups recognize. These being: North, South, East, West, above, below and within. The Vision Quest of the North American Indian comes to mind.
My theories and idea’s about oneness, connects with my interest in ‘The spaces between.’ The space between two things and the space within one thing, is One.
The space in-between is the space that connects all things, that makes all things possible.
In reincarnation, the Bardo is the space between one state of being and the next.
Spoken and written languages require space between words.
Thoughts are the spaces between speech.
Meditation is the space between thoughts.
My thinking in this is influenced in part by, Buddhist though – reality is illusion; Shinto- life energy or spirit exists in all things, both inanimate and animate;
Quantum Mechanic’s – reality is comprised of many layers.

My thoughts on the painting titled ‘All is One,’ with the two Blue Herons standing on waves – The Blue Herons are our conscious and subconscious twins. Forever reaching towards each other, attempting to become one and begin the process towards enlightenment.
The Blue Herons play a dual roll as the guardians of solitude, and secondly as the gate keepers of enlightenment. Our conscious and subconscious selves can meet one another in the perfection and quiet solitude within. This solitude is the place where soul, life, spirit, space and time become one.
Even so, there persists a belief; at least in western cultures, that there is a barrier between our conscious and subconscious selves.
The star filled circle is a window or portal between our limited conscious layers of reality. Buddhism for one tells us that our minds deceive or fool us into believing that what we see is the complete reality. There has been a perception that even if other worlds or realities exist, there still exists a barrier between this word and the next.
I’ve been thinking that the invisible barrier humans perceive between this world and the next, is only as thin as thought, and the only reason a barrier even exists, is that we imagine it to exist.
The four gold circles represent the four elements of earth, air, fire and water, and connected to them are DNA.
The silver ring around the star field is the fifth element, which is a spiritual element that animates all living things and connects all life.
The waves the Blue Herons are standing on, simple symbolize the life giving waters the earth provides us
For me the bird imagery is a conscious manifestation of a subconscious wish…a desire for a lightness of being…a desire to fly.
Daniel E. Sali August 2006

Exhibition History

Tanashi Jinja Shrine Honden

Solo Exhibitio

The Spiritual World of Dan Sali

November 5 - 29 2008

Tokyo, Nishitokyo City Japan

- Victoria Arts Connection -
The Art of the Book
Group Exhibition
March 2nd – 31st 2007
Victoria BC

- Victoria Arts Connection -
Influences: Dan Sali & Cathleen Thom
February 4th – 24th 2007
Victoria BC

-Yakumo Gallery -
March 2002
Kitakyushu City Japan

-Abstractions Gallery –
Solo Exhibition
June 2000
“The Structures of Solitude and the Architecture of Silence”
Regina SK

-Green Haven Annual Group Art Show -
Summer July 2000
Summer July 1998
Summer July 1995
Summer July 1994
Green Haven SK.

-Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Gallery -
- Halloween Group Exhibition -
Autumn 1997
Regina SK

- Jacks Attic, second floor gallery -
Solo Exhibition
Spring 1996
Regina SK

- Utopia Café -
Group Exhibition "Remember Ing"
Summer 1995
Regina's arts community commemorates
the closing of a cultural icon
Regina SK

- Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Gallery -
Group Exhibition
‘Cow Art’ Summer 1994
Exhibition History

- Globe Theater Gallery -
Solo Exhibition
Retrospective 1987 -1993
Regina SK

- The Bridge Artist Co-op Gallery -
Group Exhibitions
1992-1993
Regina SK

- The Gallery on Pacific -
Group Exhibitions
1991-1992
Saskatoon SK

- Neutral Ground Gallery -
Group Exhibitions
"Small Matters"
Winter 1991
Regina SK

- Albert Library -
Community Art Education Program
Solo Exhibition
Spring 1989
Regina SK

- McIntyre Street Gallery -
Christmas Group Exhibition
Regina SK

- Collections Fine Art Gallery -
Group Exhibitions
Winter 1988 & Summer 1989
Regina SK

- Wilderness Art Gallery -
Solo Exhibition
February 1988
Regina SK

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

-Kitakyushu City University
Kitakyushu Japan
Painting titled, 'Seven Directions'
Acrylic and enamel on canvas
2002
100cm x 100cm

-City of Regina Dunlop Art Gallery
Regina SK
Permanent Collection
Painting titled, 'Sitting in the Cat-bird Seat
Watercolor on paper
1989
76cm x 53cm

- Government of Saskatchewan
Permanent Collection
Painting titled, 'Sandhill Crane'
Watercolor and ink on paper
1988
53cm x 76cm
~

Articles, News & TV Documentary

- The Pacific Festival of the Book - March 2007
Painting titled ‘The Courtship of Venus’
featured image on posters, news paper and magazines ad’s

-Focus Magazine ~ February 2007
One page story - ‘Influences’ exhibition of works by
Daniel Sali and Cathleen Thom

- Times Colonist
March 2007

~Japan TV
NHK News Network
Evening news- special interest feature
Artist Daniel Sali
(6 minutes)

- March 2002
Can-West Global Broadcasting System
Fall 1989 Western Canadian arts program
‘For Arts Sake’
Was one of four Western Canadian artists
featured in this one hour weekly arts program

- Asahi News Paper (Japan)
March - April 2002
3 separate issues, quarter page stories with photos

- Regina Sun- Sunday Supplement
Full page cover photo & one page article
1991

- Western Sportsman Magazine
December/ January 1987

Private Collections

Japan - Korea – Croatia- Australia- Ireland- Scotland- Norway- England- California USA
Canada – British Columbia- Alberta- Saskatchewan- Manitoba- Ontario

Destination Tokyo; Conversations with the Universe

2008-07-06T21:13:00.000-07:00

Exhibition: The spiritual World of Dan Sali , Tanashi Jinja Shrine, Tokyo Japan November 2008

BIOGRAPHIC NOTES

I am a 53 year old Canadian artist, living in Victoria British Columbia. I was born in Regina Saskatchewan, one of Canada’s three Prairie Provinces where I lived for 48 years. Regina was named to honor Britain’s Queen Victoria. Five years ago I moved to Canada’s Pacific coast at Victoria, also named for that Queen.

I was born with a hereditary neurological condition called Beckers Muscular Dystrophy.
Over time, this condition slowly destroys or weakens muscles throughout the body.
Since being diagnosed at 21, my arm and leg muscles have steadily become weaker.
My basic challenge is to maintain a balance between my art and my other daily physical, social and spiritual needs.

I can still walk, but I walk slowly and carefully. Sometimes I can walk short distances by myself; but if it’s windy outside I would walk with someone assisting me. Having to walk slowly has become a gift to me, as I find that it allows me to see more of the infinitely amazing world around me.

Despite my Muscular Dystrophy I feel that I am living a reasonably normal life. Yes, there are many things that I can not do, but then there are many more things that I can do.
Having a disability presents some unavoidable physical limitations. For example there are days when I encounter something that was easy to do yesterday that is no longer easy. One day I will have to use a wheel chair, but I can accept that because it will give me and the people I meet more opportunities to grow as human beings.

As I learn acceptance of these things as a part of my daily life, each day becomes a fresh adventure, an opportunity to learn something new about myself or about the world around me. Someone once said that, “Life could always be easier but then it wouldn’t be as interesting.”

Even if I could, I wouldn’t change anything in my life. My life is not always easy, but it is most definitely interesting. The actions I take in my life and the choices I make, I like to think of that as, ‘dancing with destiny.’

Daniel E. Sali
July 7 - 2008

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

“Creativity takes courage.” Henri Matisse.

It is through my art that I am freed from bodily concerns to metaphorically fly through a creative universe. As I slowly lose strength in my legs, I notice that I sometimes paint birds without legs. To me this visually demonstrates a fundamental shift away from a body, mind, emotion focus, towards a spirit, emotion, and mind focus.
I think of the creative process as having ‘conversations with the universe.’

For me, as in other spiritual practices, meditation plays an important part in my spiritual journey. The creative process of painting is very much a form of meditation. It is a visual meditation that allows me to enter the eternal now, where my mind, body and emotional stress melt away. The images that I bring back from my journeys into creative space are not only in me, I believe these very same images are found in every one of us.
I present them visually so that others may recognize these images within themselves, and find a positive message of hope, courage and beauty.

I believe there is a connecting thread that weaves its way through the core of all beings, through all things, connecting all into one amazing and fluid tapestry of reality and being.

It is also important for me that people throughout the world hold a few important truths in their hearts. That children and adults who happen to have a mental or physical disability, are all part of the human family and all help us advance in our spiritual evolution as human beings. For we all have value, we are all beautiful, and we are all spiritual beings having a human experience. We are one voice, one song, one heart beating.

We all have something to teach one another.

We all have something to learn from one another.

What we do in this life, is not as important as who we are becoming.

Daniel E. Sali
July 7 - 2008