DANIEL DODIN

Dodin was born in Seychelles in 1986, and raised mostly by his grandmother at her home in the district of Anse Boileau.
He shared the house with his many cousins and in this household many of the traditional ways of life were still followed. He has memories of sweeping outside and other daily tasks, of farming and rearing animals, of big fruit trees perfect for climbing. A small public pathway went past the house and the constant flow of people became part of life, especially as his grandmother made and sold banana cakes and ice-cakes! This modest upbringing feeds into aspects of his work as an artist. He feels that it developed in him a sense of principle and an ability to find his own solutions. 

After his studies he worked with well-respected Seychellois artist Egbert Marday in his studio, where he was introduced to different equipment and techniques. Dodin then secured a scholarship to study for a Bachelors degree in Fine Art in India, Gujarat, at the Maharajah, Sarajirao University of Baroda. During these four years of study he had to negotiate differences in culture, language and food. India was a totally different environment for him and he was exposed to things which made him change his perception of life - people living in poverty, remoteness, different religions, pollution and noise. His time in India also opened up the world of art for him. He was exposed to different art styles and techniques and he learnt about art’s diversity. In India he felt that he discovered his own style. He started putting his own experiences into his work: the confusion and struggles he felt.