Artist - Professor - Mentor

Dani Papanikolaou (AKA Papa) is a mixed media painter and sketchbook artist that explores storytelling and the human form. Papa’s style and aesthetic – known as “Urban Tribalism” – is rooted in Neo-Expressionism, abstraction, narrative drawing, action painting, and street art with an academic lens. His work is highly distinguishable by the way Papa uses signature mark-making techniques and color – evident with the original painted jackets and dresses he creates. As a live painting performer, Papa transcends improv to instinct with each canvas and practice. 

Dani Papa was born and raised in Florida and has lived in many parts of the state - though currently lives and works in Naples, FL. As a professional artist, Papa is a professor, mentor, philanthropist, community leader, and gallerist. Papa earned his Master’s in Fine Arts degree at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) where he investigated mythology and his Greek heritage through reimagined narratives involving Greek myths. 

Papa's love of portraiture and the human form stems from an interest in exploring the human psyche through abstraction and expression. He employs automatic drawing processes into his practices as a tool to help release his creative potential. Color is often bold, bright, and totally outrageous and unapologetic. This use of color adds another layer of complexity to his work, sparking emotional responses that are genuine and unfiltered.