If you met Dan Statler outside of his studio - away from his work - you might take him for a nice, quiet, average next door neighbor type. He has that eternally little boy look.But that first impression quickly evaporates after you see his body of work. You realize Statler might be a nice guy, but he's no where near this side of ordinary.
He's the artist behind Vulture Kulture, metal art "with an edge," as he describes it on his website (http://www.vulturekulture.com)/.
His work is bold, loud, in your face. Once you've seen some of his pieces, it's likely you'll recognize his distinct style forever after.
It's possible you've already seen his work. It's been everywhere from the pages of Rolling Stone magazine to television shows and films.
As Production Designer for the Discovery Channel's "Monster Garage," he created 50 metal sculptures and furniture for the show.
As Production Designer for the Discovery Channel's "Monster Garage," he created 50 metal sculptures and furniture for the show.
It was through his special effects work in the entertainment industry on films including Batman Returns, Cliffhanger, Alien 3, Ed Wood, Volcano and Armageddon, that he became interested in working with metal.
Browsing through his Los Angeles studio, his passion for car cultures becomes obvious. It's no surprise Hot Rod Magazine, Popular Mechanics, among others, have commissioned work from him for their pages.
Statler takes a stab at popular culture in some of his pieces, like the one below. The television with the cracked screen is called "American Idolatry." His work isn't for everyone, but he's developed a huge client base and has become the go-to guy for bold metal work.
