Daniel Turner, born in 1983 in Portsmouth, Virginia, is an American contemporary artist known for his conceptual and process-driven works that often transform industrial materials and everyday objects into minimalist, abstract sculptures and installations. Turner’s work explores themes of transformation, materiality, and memory, frequently employing techniques such as melting, grinding, or burning to alter materials and reveal new forms and textures. His practice often blurs the line between sculpture and performance, with a strong focus on the physicality and residue of the creative process.
Turner is particularly known for his use of unconventional materials such as steel, rust, ash, and solvents, which he manipulates in ways that evoke traces of their former states. By repurposing materials from settings like hospitals, schools, and factories, he captures the history and essence of these spaces, transforming them into evocative minimalist works. His art invites viewers to consider the passage of time, the impermanence of objects, and the layers of meaning embedded in physical forms.