Piazza Gallery presents Yellow Submarine, a new solo exhibition by Ian Daniell, marking the artist’s arrival in Fremantle | Walyalup following his relocation from Margaret River earlier this year. After six years building a dedicated studio and gallery in the South West—and, before that, a decade in London—Daniell’s move signals a new chapter in his evolving practice across painting, print and sculpture.
Best known for his large-scale, life-size ocean art, Daniell shifts focus in Yellow Submarine to an intimate selection of smaller pieces suited to Piazza Gallery’s new, compact space. The exhibition features delicate coral study paintings, new print releases, and the first in a series of wall-mounted coral sculptures—an important development marking the artist’s gradual return to sculpture, the discipline that defined his London years.
A Dive Beneath the Surface
The coral study paintings arise from Daniell’s recent freediving and scuba expeditions on the Ningaloo Reef. Observational yet imaginative, these works distill the textures, rhythms, and personalities of coral formations seen underwater. Corals have become a major focus in the artist’s practice: between one research trip and the next, many of the same formations suffered severe heatwave-induced bleaching, losing both life and colour. Yet Daniell’s paintings radiate joy, luminosity, and the sense of wonder he still finds each time he descends below the surface—a reminder that awe and fragility coexist, and that our delight in these ecosystems is all the more reason to protect them. For collectors, these smaller works also offer a rare opportunity to acquire original paintings by the artist for under $3,000.
The exhibition also showcases a curated portion of Daniell’s print collection—roughly one quarter of the full suite previously housed at Ian Daniell Art Studio & Gallery in Margaret River. Highlights include three new print releases:
Pomfrets @ 11.11% and Fiddler Ray @ 25% , editions of paintings produced in 2023 depicting species severely affected by the current and catastrophic algal bloom in South Australia. These works celebrate local marine life while drawing attention to environmental fragility.
Dolphins @ 9%, a generously scaled print edition of a 1:1 scale mural painted in 2024 by Daniell in Margaret River prior to relocating - a celebration of playful, charismatic, bottlenose dolphins.
Also on view is a major painting, Enoplosus armatus, alongside several additional print editions, framed locally using ethically sourced timbers—including the hand-chiselled naguri frame featured on Blue Devil.
Environmental commitment remains central to Daniell’s practice: he donates 1% for the Planet, supporting organisations such as the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Greenpeace, aligning his work with the global ambition to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
About the Exhibition
Across this survey of recent works, radiant yellows and a vibrant palette of unexpected forms animate the gallery, reflecting the mood embodied in Yellow Submarine. The exhibition invites viewers into a world shaped by Daniell’s migrations—between London, Margaret River, and now Fremantle—and by his deepening relationship with the Western Australian coastline.
Upcoming Events
Daniell is a founding member of Deadspace, a new art collective dedicated to transforming disused and transitional urban sites into creative precincts. His new studio is located within the collective’s first project: a 2.8-hectare industrial site near Perth Airport, home to 25 artists. A private, invitation-only open-studios event will be held Friday 28 November, 6–10:30 pm. Visitors may contact the artist directly for details and a chance to preview his latest large-scale works.
Daniell’s next major solo exhibition, Coral Reef, will be presented at Linton & Kay Gallery, Cottesloe, from 6–31 May 2025.