Dan Shaughnessy IV, born in 1988 in Stavanger, Norway, is a contemporary artist and sculptor. Raised in Houston, Texas, he was introduced to metalworking at a young age, experimenting with stick welding. This early exposure sparked a deep curiosity about the structural forces shaping both natural and man made environments.

This fascination with form led Shaughnessy to The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, where he further refined his artistic vision, merging technical proficiency with conceptual depth. In 2011, Shaughnessy began a formative apprenticeship with a trio of established sculptors—Boyan Marinov, Mike Helbing, and Terry Karpowicz—whose mentorship helped him hone his craft and solidified his path as a professional sculptor. Over the years, Shaughnessy has created sculptures that have continued to push the boundaries of traditional sculpture through the innovative use of modern technology.

Shaughnessy divides his time between Brooklyn and the Catskill Mountains, where he continues to explore new ways to push the boundaries of sculpture.

My work explores the evolutionary life of metal and power of molding metal to forge new life. With my first exposure to the work of David Smith, I was immediately drawn to the idea of capturing the viewer’s attention. This philosophy led to me viewing my sculptures as magnets, drawing the viewer into this realm of imagination. My pieces, like “Lorax” guide the viewer into this larger than life wonder, something that doesn't fall into this reality. Mysterious yet inviting. I am enamored by Stainless Steel and its qualities. Over the years, I’ve come to realize this material has the ability to come to life. It has the ability to grow but be timeless; undaunted by the elements. 

My focus for the past few years is incorporating technology into my sculptures. The future of public art is reliant on this balance. We have entered an age where the viewer is the artist. We have the ability to use sensors / data to enable pedestrians to interact as well as affect the space itself. Rather than sculptures being stagnant and stale, my work pushes the relationship with the viewer, encouraging curiosity. My larger than life flowers have the ability to use all different types of sensors / data that are appropriate for that space, blending the balance of concept and aesthetics. Whether it is tonal sensors or using social media to drive the experience, these flowers have the ability to connect to the community. Through its sheer scale and whimsical qualities, These flowers will be known as landmarks, attracting all that is near.

PUBLIC WORK:

2015 ‘Sol Invictus’ , Chicago Sculpture Exhibition, Chicago, IL

2016 ‘Sol Invictus’ ,Chicago Sculpture Exhibition, Chicago  IL

2016 ‘Atheons' Light’ , Odyssey Exhibition Purdue North West University, Westville, IN

2017 ‘Lorax’ , Commission, Village of Skokie, IL

2017 ‘Sol Invictus’ , Sculpt Fusion Exhibition, Michigan City, IN

2018 ‘Untitled’ , Springfield Sculpture Walk, Springfield, MO

2018 ‘North Star’ ,Chicago Sculpture Exhibition, Chicago, IL

2019 ‘The Giraffe’ ,Private Commission, Lake Forest, IL

2022 ‘Palm Beach Blooms’ , Private Commission, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

2026 ‘Solaris’ , Private Commission, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

2026 ‘Great Egret’ , Private Commission, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

2026 ‘Loti’ , Private Commission, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

2026 ‘Tree of Life’ , Private Commission, Palm Beach Gardens, FL