On Display at GRCC’s Paul Collins Art Gallery During ArtPrize 2024
Everyone has a different reason for creating art. For Daniel, it started as a way to process post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Now he uses his art to help others who have mental health challenges.
“Torn” is a 6’x10’ digital artwork based on a photo of a flight paramedic that Daniel took in Las Vegas. Then he added details using digital tools. The result is something that viewers have to look at twice. Is it a photo? Is it a painting? That questioning is part of the experience.
“I experienced PTSD and other mental health issues as a result of being a first responder,” Sundahl said. “My psychologist recommended that I use art to process the trauma I had experienced. I was a little skeptical at first, but expressing my feelings in this way helped me process and recover.”
Daniel acknowledges that “Torn” might be disturbing to some people. He’s actually okay with that.
In “Torn,” the flight paramedic is pulled from one side by the devil, who represents the suicidal thoughts he has experienced. On the other side are his peers, fighting to save him because he has lost the ability to save himself.
“I want people who see my art to feel something,” Sundahl said. “I don’t intentionally try to make them feel bad, but I would rather have them feel uncomfortable than feel nothing. Hopefully they will see that hope and peer support can conquer even the ultimate hopelessness that drives people to suicide.”
Daniel says he has been doing this work for approximately 10 years, and it has touched a nerve in the first responder community. He’s excited to share it in this, his first ArtPrize experience.
“I find that my art resonates with people who have experienced trauma,” Sundahl said. “In addition to being an artist, I am also a therapist and a speaker. I understand how hard it is to recover from trauma. But I can truly say that I am a better person now, after my experiences, than I was before.”
Daniel believes that art in general, and ArtPrize in particular, are wonderful celebrations.
“This event brings hundreds of artists together and celebrates what they do,” Sundahl said. “Exploring artistic expression is so good for our mental wellbeing. Personally, I love to understand the ‘why’ behind the work. This is a great opportunity for artists to express what they feel and for the public to experience it.”
At the end of the day, Daniel hopes people see one thing in “Torn.”
“This is a message of hope for people who are suffering and have lost the capacity to find their way out,” Sundahl said. “Rely on the people who are there to help and support you when you don’t have the ability to help yourself.”
You can learn more about Daniel and his work via his website.
GRCC will be hosting six ArtPrize entries in the Paul Collins Art Gallery, located on the fourth floor of the Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall at 143 Bostwick Ave. NE. ArtPrize is open to the public from September 13-28, 2024. Learn more about the competition, venues, artists and voting.