Meet the artist behind Hotel X Toronto’s Stunning Artwork

If you haven’t been to the Library Hotel Collection’s newest property, Hotel X Toronto, you are missing out! This property is the company’s biggest project yet, so prepare to be blown away! 404 Rooms, a 3 Level Rooftop SkyBar, resort style amenities, including a year-round, heated rooftop pool, a 90,000 square foot athletic club, TEN X TORONTO, and of course, Kandy Gallery! When I first walked through the hotel, I was taken back by the magnificent artwork displayed throughout the property. Through exquisite photographs, Hotel X Toronto brought the beauty of nature from all around the globe right into their guestrooms, corridors, lobby and the hub of it all, Kandy Gallery! During my stay, I was lucky enough to sit down with the astounding photographer, Neil Dankoff, himself and ask him a few questions!

When did your relationship with Hotel X Toronto begin and how did the commission come to be?

It was late 2015 and at the time I had just opened my first gallery (Kandy Gallery) in Montreal. The owner of the hotel was looking for one artist (preferably Canadian) to travel the world and capture landscape images specifically for all of the rooms, corridors and common spaces throughout the hotel. The timing was perfect. I had just been featured in an article discussing Canada’s top ten photographers and I was the only landscape photographer. He presented this amazing vision and I thought, this is a dream come true! A bucket list experience that can take years and years, I did in almost 3 years and not many people get that opportunity.

List some of the places you traveled to in order to fulfill your commission?

Israel, Italy, South Africa, Croatia, Bolivia, Japan, China, Switzerland, Provence, Paris, Hawaii, Bora Bora, Namibia, and various locations throughout Canada and the US

How many of your photographs are on display in Hotel X Toronto?

Not counting the gallery (located on the ground floor of the hotel) there are a little over 800 photographs. Each corridor displays photos from a specific region and every room has at least one of my photos so the hotel itself is essentially an art gallery.

Why the name “Kandy Gallery”?

My gallery in Montreal is quite large (6000 square feet) but has no walk by traffic. So we decided that we would also rent out the gallery for various receptions (weddings, cocktail parties, etc..). Because of this, we wanted a fun name. “Kandy” was perfect for two reasons…- My photographs are known for being quite vibrant and colourful (similar to candy)- My two partners in the business are named Kirsty and Derek (all of our first name initials are in the name Kandy).

What camera system do you use? & Is that why your photographs are so detailed and sharp?

I now use the Phase One XF IQ3 100MP system. Yes, medium format digital photography has progressed incredibly over the last three years. Each of my final panoramic pieces is made up of several photographs so the resolution surpasses that of a single image when printing larger size

Will you be opening more galleries, perhaps in the US?

Yes, we will be opening our first gallery in the United States (Downtown Dallas) by the end of the year.

Do you have a web site?

Yes, Most of my images can be viewed at www.kandygallery.com and  follow us on Instagram!

During your stay at Hotel X Toronto, be sure to check out Kandy Gallery by Neil Dankoff. Open Wednesday – Sunday from 11am-7pm! Also, be sure to keep an eye out on the Hotel X Toronto’s event calendar to attend special events in the gallery and throughout the hotel!