Daniel Agdag is an artist and filmmaker based in Melbourne/Naarm whose practice is directly and indirectly absorbed by systems and the interactive nature from which they derive their functions and purpose.
Agdag's work collectively is made by hand into subtle and alluringly delicate forms which carry within hidden narratives, motifs and a unique language which not only drive the ideas but form its aesthetic. His work has been described as ‘architectural in form, whimsical in nature and inconceivably intricate’.
Drawn to the utilitarian origins and monochromatic presentation of his primary material cardboard, Agdag creates a paradox of fragility and strength with structures that resemble architectural forms and machines by using a medium that is essentially paper.
Agdag's process is one of simplification, working intuitively without detailed plans or drawings, he begins with a loose idea and builds on it as he works, very much akin to drawing rather than sculpting. Like drawing he removes and remakes elements as he creates the final work. This meandering approach often leads to both unusual forms and interesting juxtapositions which all contribute to the overall aesthetic. Agdag’s preference of pared down tools, palette and materials allow him to be agile in his creative methodology.
Agdag has exhibited solo shows in Melbourne, New York and London and have been presented at several local and international art fairs including Melbourne Art Fair, Sydney Contemporary, Art Central Hong Kong, VOLTA Basel and Art Fair Tokyo. His work is held in private collections in the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and Europe. He has presented solo shows at several Australian Institutions, recently ‘Miscellaneous Assemblies’ in 2020 at Noosa Regional Gallery, and ‘The Art of Lost Property Office’ at Maitland Regional Art Gallery in 2021. His work was included in the 2019 paper art Biennale at CODA Museum, Netherlands. His large scale piece “The Northerly” was acquired by McClelland Gallery and is currently held in their collection. Agdag was a finalist in the 2025 Woollahra Small Sculpture prize.
He has completed several private commissions, notably for Hermès Paris in 2014, 2019 as well as a special collaboration as Scenographer for the Petit h 2021 Sydney Stopover. A large scale outdoor public commission ‘The Inspector’ – a steel installation for Hampton, in Abbotsford, Melbourne. Agdag installed his most recent commission ‘Lattice’ in 2022 in New York, P.S. 70, a Collection of the NYC Department of Education, Public Art for Public Schools.
In addition to his art practice, Agdag is an accomplished film maker. He is a triple Sydney Film Festival Dendy Award winner, as well as two time nominated and 2017 winner of the prestigious AFI / AACTA Award. Agdag's film Lost Property Office was shortlisted for the 2018 Academy Award for Best Short Animation, and has screened globally.
Solo Exhibitions
– Present Incandescent, Messums Wiltshire, (UK), 2025 – 2026
– The Tide Houses, Messums Wiltshire, UK, 2023
– Lost Property Office: The Exhibition, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, 2021
– Miscellanous Assemblies, Noosa Regional Gallery, 2020 – 2021
– Radio Silence Messum’s, London UK, 2020
– States, Messum’s London, UK, Messum’s Wiltshire, UK, 2019
– Aloft Galerie Youn, Montréal, Canada, 2019
– Sample of no value, VOLTA14 Basel, MARS Gallery, 2018
– Stories I haven’t written down, Jonathan LeVine Projects at Mana Contemporary
– Principles of Aerodynamics, MARS Gallery, 2014
– Sets for a Film I’ll Never Make, Off the Kerb Gallery, Melbourne, 2012
Select Group Exhibitions
– HOMO FABER, The Journey of Life, Venice, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, 2014
– Chairmen Of The Board, Artisan, Brisbane 2024
– Making the Metro Tunnel: reflections by contemporary Australian artists, Presented by the Metro Tunnel Creative Program, Domain House, Melbourne, 2023
– FLIGHT, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, 2023
– CODA Paper Art 2019, CODA Museum Apeldoorn, Netherlands, 2019
– ‘Imagine’, The inaugural exhibition of the new Gippsland Art Gallery, curated by Simon Gregg, 2018
– Fictitious Realities: The Gallery at Bayside Arts & Cultural Centre, curated by Robert Lindsay, 2017
– Model Urban: Manningham Art Gallery, 2015
– Motor Works: Melbourne Grammar Gallery, 2014
– Paper Nights – Group Show, MARS Gallery, 2013
– Sustainability – Group Show, Yarra Sculpture Gallery, 2013
– Paper Arts – Group Show, Hazelhurst Arts Centre, 2011
Special Projects
– Hermès Petit h Sydney Stopover, Scenographer, 5 Short animated Vignettes, 2021
Art Fairs
– London Art Fair, Messums London, 2025
– Sydney Contemporary, MARS Gallery, 2024
– VOLTA Basel (Víctor Lope Arte Contemporáneo), 2024
– SWAB Barcelona Art Fair, 2023
– Estampa Art Fair, Madrid, Víctor Lope Arte Contemporáneo, 2018
– Volta 14 Basel, MARS Gallery, 2019
– Art Central Hong Kong, MARS Gallery, 2019
– Papier Montréal, Galerie Youn, 2019
– Sydney Contemporary, MARS Gallery, 2018
– Spring 1883, MARS Gallery, 2018
– Art Central Hong Kong, MARS Gallery, 2018
– Art Central Hong Kong, MARS Gallery, 2017
– Art Fair Tokyo, MARS Gallery, 2016
– Sydney Contemporary, MARS Gallery, 2015
– Melbourne Art Fair, MARS Gallery, 2014
– Sydney Contemporary, MARS Gallery, 2013
Select Collections
– NYC Department of Education, Public Art for Public Schools
– MERODE Collection, Belgium
– City of Melbourne Collection
– Smorgon Family
– Myer Family
– Hackett Family
– McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery
– Hermès, Paris