Matthew Chase-Daniel
Matthew Chase Daniel shares the journey of Axle Contemporary, a mobile art gallery housed in a renovated 1970s delivery truck that brings artistic experiences directly to communities across the Southwest. For fifteen years, this innovative platform has broken down barriers between high art and everyday people by parking outside grocery stores, appearing at flea markets, and traveling to rural areas typically overlooked by traditional galleries.
In this conversation, Matthew dives deeper into the philosophy that keeps Axle Contemporary evolving after fifteen years on the road, sharing behind-the-scenes stories of immersive sensory installations and the "stupid ideas" that lead to their most successful community projects. He reflects on his personal shift from being a compulsive object-maker to a community curator, discussing the "privilege of boredom" and his newfound fascination with finding art in natural forms like piñon wood. From curating the Lena Wall to navigating the spontaneous, interconnected arts scene of Santa Fe, Matthew offers a refreshing look at how a creative life is sustained by curiosity, service, and a willingness to engage with the world outside the traditional gallery frame.
