ABOUT THE ARTIST
David Wilson is a Canadian artist based in Vancouver, whose primarily self-taught practice is informed by his intermittent studies at Emily Carr University. Wilson is deeply influenced by the grand gestural styles of painters such as Cy Twombly, Anselm Kiefer, Edward Hopper, and Cecily Brown. Wilson's work explores the concepts of time and memory through depictions of urban landscapes and monochromatic renderings of people, places, and objects.
Over the past 25 years, Wilson has participated in more than 25 solo exhibitions and numerous group shows and philanthropic offerings of his work. His inspiration comes from where he lives along with his travels to various locations. As the world returns to a new normal he eagerly anticipates how his upcoming travels and experiences will unfold in his work.
Wilson's work is characterized by his use of bold, gestural brushstrokes that create a sense of movement and energy on the canvas. He often works in large formats, allowing his viewers to fully immerse themselves in his vividly colourful paintings. In his monochromatic pieces, Wilson uses subtle variations of tone and texture to create a sense of depth and nuance.
Wilson's work captures the fleeting moments of beauty and emotion in the world around us, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on the passage of time and the significance of memory. Through his explorations of the urban landscape and his depictions of everyday objects and scenes, Wilson reminds us of the enduring power of art to reveal the beauty and complexity of the world we inhabit.
ARTIST STATEMENT
As a full-time visual artist I honed my mostly self-taught practice through intermittent studies at Emily Carr University in Vancouver. As I work I like to explore the introspective concepts of time and memory, and I endeavour to vividly depict these themes through colourful reflections of urban landscapes along with monochromatic renderings of people, places, and objects. While my art does not target any specific audience, it resonates with collectors of all ages and levels of experience.
While I work primarily with acrylic on canvas and cradled wood panels I also enjoy creating multi-media monochromatic compositions on corrugated board. My inspiration arises from the spaces I find myself in, particularly the urban landscape. Within a given landscape, the evolution of time and space unfolds imperceptibly each day. On occasion the world can shift dramatically. I ask my chosen subjects to act as metaphors to mark these temporal shifts in time. Throughout my painting I incorporate a variety of texts, symbols, and marks that signify my own specific memories and concepts, creating a personal touch that invites the viewer to have their own unique experience with my art.
While I work I’m constantly thinking about what comes next and how I might bring it into being. In the words of David Bowie, "If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting." As I look forward to my next session in the studio, I am thrilled to continue pushing the boundaries of my creativity and explore new ways to develop my practice.
Photo credits: Shirley Williams
Representation
Vancouver Art Gallery Art Rental & Sales, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Steffich Fine Art, Saltspring Island, BC, Canada
Gibson Fine Art, Calgary, AB, Canada
Elevation Gallery, Canmore, AB, Canada
James Baird Gallery, Pouch Cove, NL, Canada and Miami, Fl, USA
Signet Contemporary Art, Chelsea, London, UK