'Every Piece of Me' exhibition by Dan Lane

An artist creating intricate metallic-look sculptures will be showcasing his elaborate works at Castle Fine Art on South Molton Street. Dan Lane, a.k.a Mechanica only turned full time as an artist after encouragement from his family and friends prompted him to pursue his passion.

Building up his pieces from industrial machine parts, interesting and unusual shaped objects, home appliances, and items collected from everyday life, Mechanica assembles the hundreds of individual components into eye-catching works of art reminiscent of ornate, Baroque style sculptures.

The work is also not exclusively metal based, despite looking like it has been cast out of solid iron. Different materials including plastics and ceramics form the fusion of parts that layer up the large scale compositions. The artist ensures the illusion of well-worn, weathered metal by spraying a dark grey as a base, followed by a silvery tone dry brushed over.

Naming churches and cathedrals as inspiration, Mechanica also pinpoints classical marble sculptures from the past with Italian architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini being a particular influence.

This new show comes after rising star Mechanica’s success at the ‘Summer Exhibition’ held at Castle Fine Art, Mayfair in August 2014.

Washington Green, fine art publisher to Castle Galleries and Castle Fine Art, ran a campaign to encourage unsigned, emerging visual artists to apply to join their ranks, and the subsequent event showcased new artistic talent from across the UK. Mechanica’s work attracted significant attention, and has continued to accrue a following of collectors and admirers.

“When people view my new collection,” Mechanica says, “I want them to spend hours getting lost in each piece and taking in all the small details. My art invites people into my imagination, where a dark yet beautiful world of nature is trying to live and thrive in an industrial back drop.

“I started creating these sculptures as a hobby three years ago, and only after being convinced by friends and family did I decide to go public with my work.

“Before starting to work full time as an artist, I managed an engineering workshop with lots of incredible machinery and the experience has definitely stayed with me. Now I spend a lot of time figuring out how things will fit and work together. I love any type of mechanical object, especially the inside of old watches and think this is one of the reasons I try to make my sculptures so intricate.”

Kate Hale, South Molton Street’s Gallery Director says: “Mechanica’s art has a real wow factor. Each piece is fascinating and there is so much to explore– you really get mesmerised by them.”