Janus: A Dual Exhibition Featuring Daniel Sierra and Mike McManus

March 15 - April 26, 2025

Gallery 495 is pleased to announce Janus, a dual exhibition showcasing compelling works by Daniel Sierra and Mike McManus. Drawing inspiration from the two-headed Roman god of duality and transitions, Janus explores the interplay between past and present, city and nature, and the narratives that shape identity.

About Daniel Sierra: A long-time resident of Catskill, NY, Daniel Sierra began his artistic journey amidst the pulsating energy of Brooklyn in the 1980s. Deeply influenced by his time at the iconic Paradise Garage, Sierra was mentored by Keith Haring, igniting a creative vision that continues to resonate through his bold and urban mosaics.

Nicknamed the "Mosaic Madman" during his Miami years, Sierra revolutionized street art by transforming abandoned public spaces into vibrant canvases of ceramic tile mosaics. His distinctive blend of outsider art, street art, and pop art challenges traditional boundaries, celebrating the eccentric and the raw with an unmistakable urban flair. Now working from Catskill, NY, Sierra remains a vital voice in contemporary art, infusing his work with cultural nostalgia and modern relevance. 

About Mike McManus: A New York City native, approaches his art as “a mode of survival,” embedding narratives of resilience, spirituality, and wholeness into his work. Influenced by his culturally rich urban upbringing, McManus’s work challenges the dichotomy between nature and city, weaving these worlds together through sculpture, painting, collage, and poetry.

McManus’s practice calls viewers to reconsider beauty and value, highlighting the often overlooked and unseen. His artistic philosophy invites reflection on personal insufficiencies, fostering a dialogue of acceptance and grace. His practice serves as a bridge between the internal and external, blending urban experiences with a search for deeper, spiritual meaning. 

Janus is a dialogue of contrasts—Sierra’s nostalgic urban mosaics intersect with McManus’s exploration of nature and spirituality, examining identity through cultural history, resilience, and transformation. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys, exploring how the past informs the present and how beauty can emerge from imperfection.