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'Paper Windows'
2025
Digital Painting
Paper Windows is a self-portrait and a reflection on childhood, memory, and the origins of Daniel Gan’s creativity. In this work, Gan explores how imagination begins in childhood—when drawing is instinctive, playful, and unconcerned with perfection. The piece journeys backward in time, reimagining a drawing as if created by his younger self, capturing the simplicity and freedom of childhood expression.
This childlike imagery is contrasted with a contemporary self-portrait, creating a dialogue between past and present. The two styles intentionally differ: the naïve, expressive quality of the childhood drawing stands in contrast to the more refined and controlled depiction of the artist today. Together, they represent growth, the passage of time, and the lasting influence of early creativity on artistic identity.
Gan works digitally, using modern tools to paint and construct the piece—an intentional choice that places personal memory within a contemporary context. This combination of nostalgic subject matter and digital technique highlights the evolving nature of art-making. As Pablo Picasso famously stated, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Paper Windows reflects this idea, offering a window into the artist’s past while questioning how creativity endures over time.
This work was selected for the Art House Awards at Pah Homestead, where it won third place in the People’s Choice category.
Location: Management Centre (Hamilton Campus)
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