David Wightman

"My body of work is concerned with the concept of aspiration; about wanting to attain something more. Geometric abstraction is a practice of ideals - of the pursuit of beauty, perfection, and an escape towards an impossible artistic vanishing point. The target in artistic discourse is associated with formalism, abstraction, and more widely, modernity itself. Within the target I find the ideal embodiment of aspiration.

In my current work I juxtapose geometric abstraction and cheap wallpaper to examine the difficulties in reconciling geometric abstraction with my own artistic and personal experiences, drawing on my own background as inspiration. The references behind the colours and patterns I choose oscillate between working-class interiors and formalist colour-field paintings, suggesting a symbiotic relationship between aspiration and abstraction. Not content with using impersonal titles normally associated with abstract works, my titles point towards places, people, situations, and feelings - at once sentimental and melancholy.

I want to re-examine abstraction using a more personal, even intimate, approach; imbuing it with nostalgia and longing. Rescuing the target from a purely formalistic reading, I wish to reinvigorate geometric abstraction and reclaim it on my own terms."

David has a BA in Fine Art from Middlesex University, London and an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art, London. He was Artist In Residence at Florence Trust Studios, London.

Exhibitions

2008
Aspirations, William Angel Gallery, London
CUBE Open, Centre for the Urban Built Environment, Manchester
2007
Solo Exhibition, Found Gallery, Trinity Buoy Wharf, London
2006
Beneath, Surface Gallery, Nottingham
ReNew06 : A Collaboration, 68 Hope Street, Liverpool
Lived In, Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk
The Viewing Club, The Uxbridge Arms, London
06, EyeStorm Gallery, Ipswich
2005
Opening Show, My Life In Art, Broadway Market, London
London Art & Design Show, Mary Ward House, London
2D Open, Surface Gallery, Nottingham
The Viewing Club, The Uxbridge Arms, London
Work In Kind, Surface Gallery, Nottingham
2004
My Fest, The Foundry, London
2D Open, Surface Gallery, Nottingham
Secret, Royal College of Art, London
Summer Show, Florence Trust, London
Spring Show, Blackheath Gallery, London
2003
Under Construction, Florence Trust, London
Nth Art, Ols & Co, London
Lexmark European Art Prize, EyeStorm Gallery, London
Secret, Royal College of Art, London
Eye Jam #5, Ogilvy & Mather, London
The Show, Royal College of Art, London
Eye Jam #4, Ogilvy & Mather, London
Hunting Art Prize, Royal College of Art, London
Over The Road, Imperial College, London
2002
Painting Interim, Royal College of Art, London
Hold Your Horses, RCA Sculpture School, London
Secret, Royal College of Art, London
Diversion, Arch 295, London
2001
Secret, Royal College of Art, London
Middlesex University Degree Show, London