Sir Daniel K. Winn
Elegance In Art, Nobility In Giving
Written by JESSICA VARONE | Photography by MICHAEL ALLEN
Photoshoot Location & Art Collection: COURTESY OF DR. PEJMAN BOLOURIAN & DR. TALIA BOLOURIAN
SEMPITERNAL I, STAINLESS STEEL, 52”H X 29”W X 20”D,
SEMPITERNAL II, STAINLESS STEEL, 55”H X 22”W X 21.5”D
To communicate something profoundly human is to touch the core of existence, a challenge that Beverly Hills master artist Sir Daniel Winn not only accepts but embraces. As an internationally recognized artist and emerging filmmaker, Winn's diverse skills coalesce in an art form that is as enigmatic as it is influential. His art serves as a universal language, a visual vocabulary understood across cultures and communities, with some fans calling him the modern-day Salvador Dalí. "There are so many languages in the world and I speak four, but through my art, I feel like I speak an infinite amount of languages," Winn says.
Born in Biên Hòa, Vietnam, Sir Daniel Winn faced a tough childhood. When he was just six, his father left for the war to serve as an interpreter for the American Army. “We believed he had died, leaving me feeling orphaned. Eventually my mother remarried, which only intensified my feelings of rejection," Winn recalls. To add to this trauma, he had been placed in an orphanage due to his family's destitution from the war. It was to their surprise when his father ultimately returned. And on the last day of the Fall of Saigon in April 1975, they fled to the United States. These formative years as a young refugee deeply influenced Winn's artistic journey, underscoring narratives of survival, identity, and transcendence. Transitioning to a new country presented its own set of obstacles. "I faced significant challenges acclimating to a new culture.”
Despite the turmoil of his early years, Winn was a determined individual. He went to school for his Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Irvine, and pursued a medical degree at the same institution. "My father and stepmother had hopes for me to become an engineer or doctor.” But the allure of the arts proved irresistible. After leaving the medical profession, Winn began producing paintings and sculptures. "My grandmother always supported my art." Emboldened by her support, it wasn't long before he opened a small frame shop and gallery in Southern California.
More than two decades later, by 1997, Winn had firmly established his prominence in the art world, opening galleries in both Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. It was during this period that he also founded Masterpiece Publishing, an endeavor that saw him mentoring and promoting blue-chip artists for over two decades. With his dedication, he curated exhibitions throughout North America and China.
“Whether a dragonfly, apple, or woman, everything in my art represents my life experiences.” -Sir Daniel Winn
Throughout his professional journey, Winn continued to hone his distinctive artistic style, which he aptly named Existential Surrealism. This unique style, deeply rooted in his personal experiences, captures the dichotomy of assimilating into an unfamiliar country while preserving ancestral heritage. Drawing parallels to the legendary surrealist, Salvador Dalí, Existential Surrealism utilizes surrealistic elements to compel viewers to reflect on existence, often evoking the realm of dreams. Such was the influence and recognition of his work that in 2019, the Shanghai Art Museum presented a joint exhibition featuring pieces by both Winn and Dalí.
Winn Slavin Fine Art, Winn’s prestigious galleries in Beverly Hills, Shanghai, and Vietnam, stands as a testament to a daring pursuit of passion. This venture has not only reaped financial rewards, with sculptures and paintings fetching seven-figure sums, but has also earned international accolades. More importantly, it underscores the profound impact that art can have, as seen through the eyes and talents of its featured artists.
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"Beverly Hills is on the map worldwide as being one of the most influential cities," he says. "It's not just about the glitz and glamour but the heart and soul of its residents and its patrons of the arts. "I'm a reflection of who they are. Without them, I could not pursue my passion for charity work and artistic expression. Their support provides me the opportunity to continue my journey as an artist and to fulfill my purpose in life."
One might ask ”what drives him?” The simple, age-old quest to answer life's most perplexing questions: "What is our purpose? What is our reason for being here?” He believes that by communicating these thoughts through his art, he's contributing something meaningful, something that makes people pause and consider their own lives and philosophies.
While many artists stick to one medium—painting, sculpture, film—Winn explores them all, unwilling to be pigeonholed. In doing so, he defies easy categorization. "I believe everyone is individual, whether they are one extreme to the other.”
His impact extends far beyond the art world. A lifelong philanthropist, Winn has raised millions of dollars for charities in the US and Asia. In 2001, he helped establish The Academy of Fine Art Foundation, a public charity dedicated to using art for the benefit of humanity. The charity focuses on underprivileged children and families in the US and Vietnam, offering them an escape through the transformative power of art.
He has countless accolades, but he's particularly proud of winning the gold medal for top sculptor and painter at the Mondial Art Academia in France for three consecutive years. Despite competition from over 40,000 artists and scrutiny from 45 international jurors, he stood out as the best in his craft.
“But the accomplishment that I am most proud of is to have been knighted as Sir for my philanthropic work.” Life can be truly beautiful when you give generously, just as Daniel experienced. Few are fortunate enough to be knighted. At a charity event, Daniel met Prince Mario-Max.
Schaumburg-Lippe. After having been observed by the prince at previous events, they shared a memorable lunch. "It felt like the longest lunch I've ever had," Daniel says. By its conclusion, the prince disclosed his intention to recommend Daniel for knighthood to his father, Prince Waldemar Stephen Schaumburg-Lippe. To Daniel’s surprise, the prince later traveled to the U.S. to discuss the honor in person. Daniel learned he was among only five individuals to receive this honor in over seventy years. When asked about the cost of the title, the prince stated, "This title recognizes outstanding contributions to humanity. Even $10 million couldn't purchase it." Daniel was knighted in 2018, at his gallery in Beverly Hills, surrounded by loved ones. Reflecting on the honor, he believes, "It's a constant nudge reminding me of my duty to mankind. The only true measure of our lives is the positive influence we have in the lives of others."
In 2018 Sir Daniel Winn was knighted by Prince Waldemar of Schaumburg-Lippe
He's now venturing into filmmaking, considering it a continuation of his artistic evolution. He conceived and starred in his debut short film Creation in 2022, which depicts an otherworldly artist making two sculptures in a barren setting. These sculptures, the "Quantum Mechanics: Femme" and "Quantum Mechanics: Homme" from his "Dark Matter" series, are crafted using ancient techniques into Lucite and bronze. The film has won numerous awards and appeared in global film festivals. A feature-length adaptation of Creation is currently in development, with Jordan Schulz set to direct and Andrew Creme as the writer. Despite past offers to adapt his life for a Netflix feature, Winn chose to narrate his story through Scarcity, eyeing a 2025 release. The feature-length film is set in 1975 during Saigon's evacuation and showcases a boy's journey, affected by war, finding resilience and success. Directed by Georges N. Chamchoum, it's based on Winn’s real experiences.
In recent months, Winn collaborated with scriptwriters, describing it as a cathartic experience. "I've begun the script based on a book about my life, and it’s been emotionally intense but enlightening," he shares. This film is a broader reflection of his artistry, capturing events that shaped him. "Everything in my art, whether a dragonfly, apple, or woman, represents my life experiences," he explains. The forthcoming Scarcity will further decode the symbolism in his artwork. "Watching it will give deep insights into my life and inspirations," he hints.
Looking towards the future, over the next decade, he hopes to further broaden his impact. "I'd love to see the impact that my work has had worldwide.” In a time when communication often feels reduced to fleeting memes and sound bites, he offers something timeless: a narrative of life's complexities, rendered in paint, marble, and now, film. For through the work and words of Sir Daniel Winn, we may all find a way to better understand the world—and perhaps ourselves. "Whether it's through my art or even through movies, my goal is to lead a legacy that is impactful, profound, positive, and makes a difference.”