It began with an advertising project. Guido Daniele was commissioned to do some body paintings of animals. The idea then grew into a concept he pursued personally, producing animal upon animal on the humble surface area of a human hand.
Called handimals, these animal portraits take hours to complete. Guido prefers to use his son and daughter as canvas. If he has to hold someone’s hands for hours, he says, he prefers it to be the hands those of someone he loves.
Once the work is complete, Guido takes photographs on various background colors, then watches it disappear as his children wash their hands clean. His sadness is perhaps only counteracted by the notion that the slate has been wiped clean for another portrait. A true devotee to his craft.
I guess this is why people call him Michel-handgelo.
To see the whole range of his work, click here.
