Dathan Kane, a muralist and artist, is leaving his legacy across Virginia by inspiring others with his art. In this interview, we delve into his art, living up to a family legacy, the progressive art scene in Hampton Roads, and the significance of representation in street art. There is a lot to unpack in this one!
Also, don’t miss out on Dathan’s upcoming exhibitions, including the Black History Month group show organized by Gloucester Arts on view until February 25th at 6580 Main Street in Gloucester, VA, and his solo show “Shapes Were Seen!” organized by Petersburg Area Arts League at 7 E. Old Street in Petersburg, VA, from February 10th to March 5th!
Who are you? And what do you do?
Dathan Kane:
My name is Dathan Kane, but I go by D Kane. I’m an artist, based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. I work as an abstract artist and muralist. Black and white is my thing.
What’s the art scene like in Hampton Roads?
Dathan Kane: Born and raised in Hampton Roads, I have seen it become more progressive when it comes to embracing both art and commerce. People are realizing that art is essential for business and vice versa, and they go hand in hand. It’s a crucial aspect that’s needed and wanted. People want to be inspired when walking the streets, especially during their daily commute to work. It’s a way to take them away from reality. There are places like the Neon District, The ViBe, and Contemporary Arts Network that showcase this importance. It’s not just about aesthetics but also education and letting people know that this is something possible and that they can engage with.
Photo of “RVA FAMILY” at the Canal Walk, Richmond, VA by @mylo.vid
Was it difficult or intimidating to try to be part of the street art scene?
Dathan Kane: Well, as a young artist, I felt that it would be a challenge to set this as my career path. I knew it would take time and effort, but I also knew it could be possible if I stayed consistent and kept working. Most of the time, things just pan out if you put in the work. People catch up with you after the fact, rather than before. So, it’s all about giving back to the art and putting all of your effort into your work, making it something people are drawn to. Of course, there were challenges along the way, but seeing what you can do and proving people wrong at the same time is a good feeling.
Work in progress during the RVA Street Mural Festival (2022). Photo by @artbyothers__
How important is representation for you as a Black artist in the street art scene? Given the lack of African American street artists in Virginia.
Dathan Kane: Representation is extremely important to me as a Black artist in the street art scene. It’s important for the next generation of artists of color to see that this is a possible career path. You can create work on a large scale and be proud of who you are and what you look like. The lack of artists of color throughout history makes representation even more important.
Having more artists of color in the street art scene is inspiring and encourages the next wave of artists. It’s amazing to see in real-time when you’re on the street and you see an artist of color painting a wall. It makes sense and gives hope to others who want to do the same. I hope to be one of those artists who inspires the next person of color to pursue this as a career. Having that kind of impact is truly amazing.
Photo of “HULL ST RVA” on Hull Street, Richmond, VA by @artbyothers__
You mentioned before the interview, so tell me about your experience seeing Richmond muralist Hamilton Glass‘s work. What impact did it have on you as an artist?
Dathan Kane: Definitely, man. So, I spent a lot of time in Richmond while I was at VSU, just checking out the art scene and seeing what was going on in the city. That’s when I came across Ham Glass and his use of shapes, vibrant colors, and overall style just caught my attention. I was blown away and thought to myself, “Who is this person?” Then I looked him up and it was inspiring to see someone who looked like me doing this kind of work and being highlighted on such a big platform.
Before that, I was mostly doing drawings, but Ham’s work made me realize that I could actually pick up a brush and start working on murals. It was like a lightbulb moment for me, and I’m so grateful for the impact that he’s had on me and the city of Richmond. So, yeah, a big shoutout to Ham Glass!
Video by @majormajor____ and sponsored by Three Notch’d Brewing Co.
Your work is centered around black and white. Can you tell me a little bit about why you chose to work this way and what the black and white represent in your art?
Dathan Kane: Yeah, sure. So black and white has always been a big part of my art and my personality, you know? It represents the duality of life, the ups and downs, the positives and negatives, and how I respond to them. It’s almost like a guide for me. And the shapes and forms I use in my work are inspired by that balance between the two. I started as a portrait painter and always worked with just pen and pencil, but as I evolved, I moved into abstract work and wanted to evoke emotions and feelings rather than just recognition.
Inspiration hit me at Art Basel, where I saw artists I’d been studying for years in person and it really opened my eyes to what I could do with my work. I wanted to push shapes and overlapping shapes to represent that balance, because one doesn’t exist without the other. The negative experiences in life set up the positive ones. And by using black and white, I wanted to create a bold and organic expression of that balance. The absence of color makes you question why, and it captivates you in a unique way.
Photo by @travismdillard
So, tell me, how important is family to your career as an artist?
Dathan Kane: Family plays a crucial role in my career as an artist. They’re my support system, you know, and they mean a lot to me. Of course, there were some initial pressures when I first chose this path, but family has always been there for me.
For example, my great aunt Katherine Johnson of NASA, who’s on my dad’s side, she achieved something truly incredible. She came up with the formula that helped put the first man on the moon. That’s pretty amazing, right? She was in the movies Hidden Figures that came out a few years back.
So, in a way, I’m following in her footsteps and contributing to the family legacy in the field of art. I want to use my art to give back, just like she did with NASA, and inspire others. And in doing so, I’m also honoring my family and showing them that their support was worth it. And that majoring in art and design was definitely a good thing. [laughs]
Photo of “NEXT DOOR” in downtown Hampton, VA by @phia_philm_22
I love that story. Before this interview you mentioned the building you painted that is right across from where your aunt worked and how much that meant to you. Can you tell the readers about that?
Dathan Kane: Definitely, the building I painted is located in downtown Hampton and it’s a full wraparound building that I titled “Next Door.” It’s one of my biggest mural projects to date and I’m incredibly proud of it. To be honest, I’ve always known that art was going to play a big role in my life, and I’ve always dreamt of painting a mural there. But I never thought it would become a reality until much later in life.
A good friend of mine, Sherry, introduced me to the property manager, who was impressed by my work and gave me the opportunity to bring my vision to life. And let me tell you, it felt like it was meant to be, especially since the building is located right next door to the place where my aunt worked. It just added to the significance of the project for me, and it felt like a way for me to continue my family’s legacy of excellence and innovation.
As an artist, I believe that our job is to make people feel good and evoke emotions through our work. And with this mural, I wanted to do just that. I wanted to show that following your dreams and making yourself and your loved ones proud is possible, even if others don’t believe in you. It’s important to keep pushing forward and creating the art that you love, regardless of what anyone else thinks.
Photo courtesy of Dathan Kane
I’m not sure how to put this, but do you believe in manifesting your destiny? Or the idea of manifesting what you want in front of you, and then working towards it?
Dathan Kane: Yeah, definitely. As an artist, I’ve had family members and peers who may not have understood my vision or what I set out to do. But for me, it’s about envisioning it and telling myself that I’ll make it happen, regardless of anyone else’s support. It’s about having the confidence to see something and make it happen. Because as an artist, part of our job is to create something that can inspire others and start conversations. Our work may come from within us, but it’s also outside of ourselves because it’s there for others to interact with and respond to.
Manifesting is important in life, not just in the art field. It’s about envisioning what you want and making it happen. As an artist, you create something that wasn’t there before, and that can be a powerful feeling. So, manifestation is definitely important to me, and it’s important in all aspects of life, not just art.
Photo by @tr.v.a
Have you had the opportunity to work with or talk to kids about your art?
Dathan Kane: Yes, I have had the chance to talk to kids about my art and I love it. It’s always inspiring to see their reactions and excitement when they learn about what I do. I make sure to tell them that this is something they can do too. All they need is a brush, some paint, and a bit of imagination. I think it’s important to show them that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
Photo courtesy of Dathan Kane
How do you feel you’re making an impact and leaving a lasting impression with your art?
Dathan Kane: Well, I feel like I’m leaving my mark in the boldest way possible. I hope that my work inspires others to do the same and create something of their own. As artists, I think it’s our job to push boundaries and open up people’s imaginations. And if my work can do that, then I feel like I’m doing something right and making a positive impact. To me, leaving a lasting impression means encouraging others to pick up a brush, or tools, and make something that contributes to society and the next generation of artists. And that’s the ultimate goal for me, to set the next wave of creative minds in motion.
Follow Dathan Kane: @_dkane
Find out more at dkaneart.com
Main photo by Silly Genius
