Danny Cole

Danny Cole (born January 10, 2000) is an American painter and interdisciplinary artist based in New York City.

Early life
Originally from New Jersey, Cole has been creating art since he was young. He filled journals with drawings before moving to painting.

Cole moved to New York to pursue his career as an artist soon after graduating high school.

Career
Shortly before his high school graduation in 2018, Cole's debut solo show, "Danny Cole's Departure" was held in partnership with Stephan Alexander's Ghost Gallery in the Lower East Side in New York City.

That same year, Cole went to Coachella with Portugal. The Man, exhibiting his artwork as the band's live visuals on the festival’s main stage. Also in 2018, Cole directed the animated music video for Cherry Glazerr's song "Daddi".

In 2019, Cole, Matt Shultz of Cage The Elephant, and Beck held an art & music show in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

In 2020, Cole was arrested for his "HollyCow" art installation, erected atop the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles, California.

In 2021, Cole was selected to participate in a revival of the Cow Parade, sponsored by God’s Love We Deliver.

Creature World
Cole is known for his trademark "Creatures": doodled, simple, round-faced humanoids that represent "a universal human spirit that transcends age, gender, and nationality".

The "Creature" figures are the centerpiece of the "Creature World", a multi-disciplinary narrative construct, functioning as a unified art experience through which Cole connects with his audience, encouraging them to explore their own introspective worlds.

"Creature World" art activations often boast an intersection of different artistic and interactive mediums - including painting, music, performance, dance, poetry, audience interaction, and cuisine.

Reception
Cole has been acclaimed for his unique aesthetic sensibilities. Grant Rindner of Nylon Magazine said "Cole's colorful characters are reminiscent of Keith Haring's signature creations, but where movement was central to the pop art icon's work, Cole translates his own thoughts and struggles into static snapshots of personal, private moments."

Cole has also been noted for his cross-disciplinary and his community-oriented approach to art presentation and engagement. "His work centers around human connection, self-discovery, and communal understanding," said Alisa Caira of WBRU. "It's personable and alien, abstract and specific, confusing and relatable."