Ongoing insitu installation in conjunction with AFP Galleries and The Sunshine Group (Interior Designs)at:
The Arcadia Development 79th Street and 1st Avenue.
RECENT NYC SOLO SHOWS:
RECENT WORKS FROM NEW YORK & LONDON 31 July - 8 September 2006 KANVAS GALLERY 219 Ninth Avenue Chelsea NY 10011
WABI-SABI EXPLORED: REFLECTIONS OF RECENT TRAVELS 1- 23 June 2006 AFP Galleries, The Fuller Building, 7th Floor. 595 Madison Avenue, New York. NY 10022
From his origins on The Falls Road in sectarian West Belfast, continuing through a nomadic life in Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America, David's work is an exploration of color, culture and contrasting textures experienced in many parts of the world. His travels from childhood proved to be the catalyst for him in translating his experiences to canvas. Despite a setback in 2002 when fire destroyed his Korean studio and all his works, David's influences from his time in East Asia are still evident in his more recent portfolio.
As a self-taught artist and photographer, living in Asia for many years, he is heavily influenced by both Korean and Japanese Raku Ceramics and Wabi-Sabi aestheticism. Working for a period in the renowned St. Martin's School of Art and Design in London also provided David with further momentum to explore new techniques and styles.
The Japanese term "Wabi-Sabi" has no direct translation in the English language. It is best described as an intuitive appreciation of the understated beauty observed in the seasonality, asymmetry and imperfection of objects. From the turning of the autumn leaves to the weathering of moss-covered rocks, this oft fleeting and transient beauty is a reflection of time, exposure and erosion.
Wabi-Sabi stands in direct contrast to the traditional Western aesthetic ideals of symmetry, perfection and visual purity. A unique spiritual appreciation of the given moment in time, reflected within the continuous flow and metamorphosis of all things defines the essence of Wabi-Sabi.
David's work is deeply influenced by the man-made and natural forms which he experiences around the world and in his temporary home of New York City. The rich processes and the "journey" intrinsic to each of his works are as important as the final work itself. Painting on a flat canvas, David "builds" the piece layer by layer, often utilizing ground-up rock, sand, driftwood and other naturally weathered objects gathered on his travels. Many of his recent works incorporate such salvaged items from the coastal areas of Indonesia on the South China Sea. His intention is to "weave" the unique energy, mystery and unknown history of these items into the painting to add an extra dimension of richness to the work.
Whether it be the cultural diversity of SE Asia, the huge space and skies of the Texas Panhandle or the grey streets of Communist East Berlin, all the locations David has lived in have influenced his work.
