BIOGRAPHY
From a young age, Max nurtured a deep passion for art and poetry, her inquisitive mind and precocious writing talents shining through in abstract, metaphor-rich poetry that reflected her unique perspective. In high school, she took the initiative to launch a self-published, student-run (fan)zine—a photocopied newspaper that became a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas on topics ranging from geopolitics to space and video games.
At 17, inspired by Shakespeare and Jean-Paul Sartre’s Huis Clos (No Exit), she wrote a play exploring the cyclical nature of history. Later, influenced by hip-hop culture and social justice movements, she ventured into filmmaking, directing her first short film on the concept of citizenship within a fractured society. With a deep-seated passion for journalism and photography, Max initially set her sights on becoming a photojournalist.
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" Observer et s'interroger, en permanence. Faire le choix d'une pensée qui n'est ni formatée ni univoque, celui d'un questionnement herméneutique éclairé pour rendre à l'altérité la place qu'elle doit tenir dans nos sociétés parfois encore trop normatives et souvent individualistes. User de l’exercice de la raison, des nuances de conception, de la multiplication des points de vue et de l'unité sous-jacente aux contradictions. L'exprimer et le partager de manière constructive à travers l'écriture, l'oralité, l'art... Etre, dans le sens le plus profond qui soit."
It all began with the color black. Max Dana has long been captivated by this achromatic hue, which absorbs both light and energy. A pivotal moment came when she first encountered Pierre Soulages' Outrenoir paintings—an experience that sparked a profound revelation.
Drawing from her deep connection to black and influenced by East and Asian cultures, Max has cultivated a distinctive artistic style that explores cultural experiences and weighty themes, all while striving for harmony in a world of contrasts. Her creative expression spans a wide array of mediums, including painting, pencil drawing, photography, design, mixed media, video, sculptural installations, and, most notably, writing.
Her acclaimed work, The World of Sama, serves as an allegory for our own reality—an enigmatic realm inhabited by the Sama, peaceful beings from an alternate dimension, one of the many hidden layers of M-theory. Imbued with positive energy, these mysterious creatures protect humans known as the Chibi, guiding them with their benevolent influence.
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" L'imaginaire remonte à l'enfance, il permet de s'évader du monde réel, de créer un univers unique et personnel que nous sommes alors les seuls à percevoir. Un privilège, une exclusivité en somme qui évolue avec nous et nos questionnements, que l'on peut conserver pour soi à tout jamais ou bien partager avec d'autres sous une forme créative. Le Monde des Sama s'est au fil des années enrichit de cette expérience pour offrir modestement au monde, un message d'espoir et d'empathie."
'Peace' Ink on Paper By Max Dana
The mid-1980s marked a pivotal moment in Max's journey. Immersed in the hip-hop and graffiti art movement, she began painting murals in Paris/La Défense, France. It was during this period that da-eYe—a clever and playful one-eyed character—was born. Over time, da-eYe evolved into a widely recognized figure, appearing across various mediums and platforms, from wall decals and stickers to prints, clothing, and even a 3D edition.
A decade later, Max’s childhood dreams took shape with the emergence of The World of Sama and its benevolent beings from alternate dimensions. Her deep fascination with astrophysics, quantum cosmology, and Steampunk led to the creation of a new character that reflected her own inquisitive, geeky nature: Max Von Sama, The Explorer. Aboard the Sama Airship, this intrepid traveler embarked on a quest to unravel the mysteries of the Fermi Paradox and chart uncharted territories.
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" Des premiers émois vidéoludiques au roller freestyle sur des rythmes hip-hop Place du Trocadéro à Paris, en passant par les graffitis sur les murs de La Défense, l'ébullition créative de ces univers riches de leurs diversités est source d'inspiration et d'engagements. Chaque période a donné naissance à des personnages encrés dans leur temps : créatures polymathes veillant sur l'humanité avec les Sama ; oeil facétieux et impertinent avec da-eYe, ou bien encore exploratrice Steampunk défiant le paradoxe de Fermi avec Max Von Sama."
Free jam Dee Nasty & Johnny Go, Friche de la Chapelle (Paris, France) / 1986 @Enrique
Max Dana’s creative vision extends far beyond illustration. Inspired by her grandmother, a skilled seamstress, she combined her love for vintage fashion with a commitment to sustainability, crafting her first collection in the early 1990s by repurposing old garments. Her immersion in haute couture during an internship at Christian Dior further enriched her artistic journey, deepening her appreciation for craftsmanship and design.
Driven by these influences, Max remains dedicated to excellence, working with artisanal materials and premium fabrics. She places a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and Métiers d'Art, integrating environmentally conscious production techniques while advocating for local manufacturing. Embracing a philosophy of exclusivity, most of her clothing, handbags, accessories, and furniture pieces are released in limited editions—many proudly bearing the label "Made in France," a tribute to the country’s rich tradition of craftsmanship.
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" Honorer les femmes et les hommes qui au travers de leur métier font perdurer des savoir-faire parfois ancestraux et les subliment par leur expérience acquise avec persévérance. Passage de témoin autant historique que culturel, l'artisanat compte à ce titre parmi le patrimoine culturel immatériel de l'humanité. Mise en lumière par la simplicité apparente d'un geste parfaitement maitrisé, par la qualité des matières utilisées autant que par la complexité de sa réalisation, la création artisanale ne souffre d'aucun élément superfétatoire"
'Les mains du lissier pendant le tissage, Tapisserie d’Aubusson' (France) / 2008 ©Chantal Andoque - UNESCO
After a successful career in management and consulting, Max chose to devote more time to
her creative pursuits and philanthropic work. From reporting on the Tiananmen Square protests and the Sudanese coup d'état in her student newspaper to raising awareness about the genocide in Rwanda and sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to global citizenship.
In the early 2000s, Max played an active role in bringing attention to the Darfur genocide in Sudan. Inspired by the impact of this campaign, she founded The Sama Fraternal Society, a precursor to the
MagkaSama Project, an initiative dedicated to fostering unity and mobilizing action on human rights and environmental conservation.
In 2008, Max collaborated with the international NGO The Elders for their Every Human Has Rights global event. To mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, she launched the "
60 Signers for the 60th Anniversary" initiative, securing support from influential organizations worldwide.
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" Quand à une certaine insouciance succède une forme de gravité dont il sera difficile de se détacher. Face à ces drames qui se jouent sous nos yeux et qui ne cessent de se répéter, face à un monde qu'il faut réparer, l'optimisme de la prise de conscience ne prend son sens que par l'action. Voir l'autre comme source d'enrichissement, fut-il personnel, afin de poser les bases d'un respect mutuel pour dessiner un avenir commun dans lequel chacun, dans son identité propre, héritée ou construite serait solidaire du sort de l’humanité. L'universalité d'un lien qui unit l'humanité toute entière et dont il faut veiller, chaque jour, à ne jamais se défaire au risque d'oublier qui nous sommes vraiment"
'60 Signers for the 60th Anniversary' Initiative By Max Dana - The MagkaSama Project (2008)
Max Dana is known for her preference for privacy, often keeping a low profile and avoiding media attention and public appearances. She chooses to let her work speak for itself, forging connections through her art and actions rather than the spotlight.
Despite her reserved nature, Max has maintained an online presence since the mid-'90s, cultivating a devoted following and a strong bond with her audience. Subscribers to the
Exclusive Content Newsletter gain access to works in progress, sneak peeks, event invitations, Q&A sessions with Max, and more. Exclusive offerings such as
The Sama Box,
The Message, and access to the
3615 MaxDana Minitel experience are also available.
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" Le processus créatif induit la capacité de pouvoir observer le monde pour l'interpréter. Quelle que soit la forme qu'elle revêt, la création, dans sa sérendipité ou dans sa forme plus réflexive, doit se révéler au plus profond de nous-mêmes. Si la parole humaine peut embellir le monde, il ne faut pour autant rien céder à un ultracrépidarianisme omniprésent mais plutôt tenter d'é(mer)veiller les esprits curieux et ouverts afin de les rendre capables de (se) questionner sur la compléxité de notre époque avec un regard critique et vigilent"
