Alexander Dakers’ Art Unites People, Supports those in Need, and Honors his Grandfather

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Nothing excites Alexander Dakers more than the possibility that an empty canvas holds. And while many artists limit themselves to specific genres and subject matter, Dakers drive to put paint to brush has led to a body of work that encompasses wide-ranging subject matter created across varied mediums. Over the years his work has been found in galleries, at exhibitions, in homes, on stage sets and on the walls of schools and other public spaces.

One does not need to look far to see where Dakers’ talents are derived. Raised in Innellan in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, his father is a known artists who helped him master different techniques, blending and art forms and encouraged him to try graphite pencil, charcoal, pastel, watercolors, pen and ink, acrylic and oil paint, His uncle was also  a great support and Dakers credits his grandfather for modeling how he could use his gift to make positive change in the world.

“My family has been the greatest influence on my art. They taught me unique skills and have supported me without question. And my grandfather showed me that art is a powerful means of depicting the emotion behind important moments in time,” explained Dakers. His grandfather, Leopoldo Osorio, was given a life sentence and jailed for standing in support of his fellow Chileans in opposition to dictator Augusto Pinoche before Amnesty International intervened and brought him home after three years of imprisonment.

“I dedicated my very first exhibition to him and have donated funds raised through sale of some of my pieces to support organizations like AI,” he added. “I want to make my grandfather and the rest of my family proud by using my art to connect people as well as support non-profits that work to improve the quality of life of those who are most vulnerable.”

In fact, Dakers’ art exhibition at the Brick Lane Gallery, London runs through June 24 and raises funds to help provide employment opportunities for disabled individuals. He has also set up a Go Fund Me page to boost the cause at www.gofundme.com/helping-a-factory-for-disabled.

Not surprisingly, Dakers did not take a traditional route to his vocation. At 18, he moved to Glasgow to study art at Rennie Macintosh College and later studied graphic design at Cardonald College School of Art. However, he says he soon tired of school and “computer art” and instead chose to travel throughout Glasgow, Cotwolds, London and Dorset, where his artistic style began to take hold in earnest. He worked as a deputy manager at the Norfolk Royale Hotel in Bournemouth until he had enough savings to pursue his art full-time and held his very first exhibition at the venue.

“I believe my perseverance is the reason that my art resonates with so many people. I am excited to continue to share my work with people around the world so we can continue to celebrate the things that unite us – and one of those things is art,” added Dakers.

 For more information about Alexander Dakers and his work, go to zanderartwork.com, @zander.artwork on Instagram or @alexanderdakers on YouTube. For inquiries regarding commissioned works or works for sale, contact the artist at zanderartwork@outlook.com or 07719301408.