David Wightman (b. 1980, Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK) is a British painter and printmaker based in London, UK. He creates beautiful paintings and prints of fictional landscapes. The surfaces of his paintings are made from textured wallpaper collaged with a technique similar to marquetry. Colour and composition are the key aspects of his work. He studied Fine Art at Middlesex University (2001) and gained an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art, London (2003).
David Wightman's solo exhibitions include Victorialand, Galerie de Bellefeuille, Toronto, Canada. New Paintings, Galerie de Bellefeuille, Montréal and Toronto, Canada (2022), Ariel, Grove Square Galleries, London (2022), My Atalanta, Long & Ryle, London (2020), In Arcadia, Duran|Mashaal Gallery, Montréal (2018), A Devotion, Someth1ng Gallery, London (2018), EMPIRE, Long & Ryle, London (2016), New paintings + Akris collaboration, Akris, 30 Old Bond Street, London (2014), Redux, 10 Gresham Street and Halcyon Gallery (2014), Hero, commission for House Arts Festival (2013), Paramour, Halcyon Gallery, London (2012), Homage to Loreleia, Berwick Gymnasium Gallery, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland (2011), Secret Name, Sumarria Lunn, London (2010), Behemoth, Cornerhouse, Manchester (2009), and Aspirations, William Angel Gallery, London (2008).
In 2010, David Wightman was awarded the Berwick Gymnasium Arts Fellowship - a six-month residency in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, funded by Arts Council England and English Heritage. In 2013, he was selected by the curator of House Arts Festival, Mariele Neudecker, to make a site-specific painting for a disused pavilion on Brighton’s seafront. The commission was funded by Arts Council England. In 2014, Wightman collaborated with the fashion label Akris for their Fall / Winter 2014/15 collection. His work has featured in Harper's Bazaar, The Guardian, Times Radio, The Telegraph, The Financial Times, The World of Interiors, BBC News, BBC London, BBC North West, and Money Week.
David Wightman lives and works in London, UK.
David Wightman featured on BBC North West
David Wightman / CV
b. 1980, Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK / Lives and works in London, UK
Education
MA (RCA) Painting, Royal College of Art, London (2001-2003)
BA (Hons) Fine Art, Middlesex University, London (1998-2001)
Forthcoming Exhibition with Kristjana S Williams
David Wightman & Kristjana S Williams, Inspiré X Kristjana S Williams Gallery
4 Rue Benjamin Cremieux, Narbonne, 11100, France
> until Friday 08 November
Selected Solo Shows and Projects
2024 A Compendium (with Fran Giffard), Jupiter Asset Management, London
2024 New Paintings and Prints with A Space for Art at One New Change, London
2023 Victorialand, Galerie de Bellefeuille, 87 Avenue Road, Toronto, Canada
2023 New Paintings and Prints (with Fran Giffard), Tila Deptford Restaurant, London
2023 Birds and Mountains at Luca’s (with Fran Giffard), Luca's, London
2022 New Paintings, Galerie de Bellefeuille, Montréal, Canada
2022 Ariel, Grove Square Galleries, London
2021 Landscapes for Luca, Luca's, London
2020 My Atalanta, Long & Ryle, London (catalogue)
2018 In Arcadia, Duran|Mashaal Gallery, Montréal, Canada (catalogue)
2018 A Devotion, Someth1ng Gallery, London (two-person exhibition with Fran Giffard)
2016 EMPIRE, Long & Ryle, London (catalogue)
2015 New prints, Royal Over-Seas League, London
2014 New paintings + Akris collaboration, Akris, 30 Old Bond Street, London
2014 Redux, 10 Gresham Street + Halcyon Gallery, London (2013/14)
2013 Hero, commissioned by Arts Council England for House Arts Festival, Brighton
2012 Paramour, Halcyon Gallery, London (catalogue)
2011 Homage to Loreleia, Berwick Gymnasium Gallery, Berwick-upon-Tweed
2010 Secret Name, Sumarria Lunn / Art Work Space, The Hempel, London
2009 Behemoth, Cornerhouse, Manchester
2008 Aspirations, William Angel Gallery, London
2007 New Work, Found Gallery, Trinity Buoy Wharf, London
Selected Group Shows, Projects, and Art Fairs
2024
Northleigh House Postcard Auction, Hatton, Warwick
Group Exhibition with A Space for Art at Home House, London
The Affordable Art Fair with TAG Fine Arts, Hampstead, London
The Affordable Art Fair with TAG Fine Arts, Battersea, London
Postcards From the Edge, a benefit for Visual AIDS, Berry Campbell Gallery, NYC
2023
The Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair with TAG Fine Arts, London
Christmas Exhibition, Catto Gallery, London
Art Material-ism, curated by Ian Berry, Catto Gallery, London
The Director’s Cut, The Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair / Virtual
Wish You Were Here...?, TAG Fine Arts at Gallery 46, London
Forget Me Knot, Grove Gallery, London
The Affordable Art Fair with TAG Fine Arts, Hampstead, London
Auction in aid of Frogmore Paper Mill, St Bride Foundation, London
The Affordable Art Fair with TAG Fine Arts, New York City
The Affordable Art Fair with TAG Fine Arts, Battersea, London
London Art Fair with TAG Fine Arts, London
2022
Christmas Exhibition, Long & Ryle, London / Virtual
The Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair with TAG Fine Arts, London
The Other Art Fair, The Truman Brewery, London
Secret Postcard Auction in aide of Combat Stress, London
Art on a Postcard at The Other Art Fair, London
London Original Print Fair with TAG Fine Arts, Somerset House, London
The Affordable Art Fair with Air Contemporary, Hampstead, London
New paintings at Galerie de Bellefeuille, Montréal and Toronto
Arcadia, Grove Square Galleries, London
2021
Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair with Long & Ryle, London
Secret Postcard Auction in aide of Combat Stress / Virtual
The Affordable Art Fair with TAG Fine Arts, Battersea, London
Wish You Were Here: 151 Years of the British Postcard, The Postal Museum, London
The London Original Print Fair with Long & Ryle, London
Valentine's Show, Long & Ryle, London / Virtual
London Art Fair with Long & Ryle, London / Virtual
2020
Christmas Presentation, Long & Ryle / Virtual
ING Discerning Eye, London / Virtual
The Affordable Art Fair with Liberty Gallery + TAG Fine Arts / Virtual
Art Toronto, Duran|Mashaal Gallery, Montréal, Canada / Virtual
Anthology, Long & Ryle, London
Summer Anthology, Long & Ryle / Virtual
Real Time, Seventeen Gallery / Virtual
Papier Art Fair with Duran|Mashaal Gallery / Virtual
In With The New, Spotlight Exhibition curated by the London Original Print Fair / Virtual
Print Fair Pop-Up, Long & Ryle / Virtual
London Original Print Fair with Long & Ryle and The Royal Academy of Arts / Virtual
The Affordable Art Fair with TAG Fine Arts, Battersea, London
New Paintings and Prints with TAG Fine Arts at Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, London
London Art Fair with Long & Ryle, London
2019
Christmas Show, Jealous Gallery, London
The Affordable Art Fair with TAG Fine Arts, Singapore
The Affordable Art Fair with Dawni Limited Edition Prints, Stockholm, Sweden
The Other Art Fair, Victoria House, London
The Affordable Art Fair with TAG Fine Arts, New York City
Fair For Saatchi with Long & Ryle, Saatchi Gallery, London
Draw Art Fair with Long & Ryle, Saatchi Gallery, London
London Original Print Fair with Long & Ryle, The Royal Academy of Arts, London
Papier Art Fair with Duran|Mashaal Gallery, Montréal, Canada
London Art Fair with Long & Ryle, London
Gallery Artists, Penny Black Gallery, Brentwood, Essex
2018
Gallery Artists, Duran|Mashaal Gallery, Montréal, Canada
New prints at Someth1ng Gallery, London
Context Art Miami with Duran|Mashaal Gallery, Miami
Sleep + Eat Fair with Art Finder, Olympia, London
Secret Charter, Dulwich Picture Gallery, London
Jealous Needs You, Jealous Gallery, Crouch End, London
The Other Art Fair, Victoria House, London
10th Birthday Show, Jealous Gallery, London
LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair with Long & Ryle, Berkeley Square, London
30/18 : The Jealous Needs You Project, Saatchi Gallery, London
Jealous Needs You, Jealous Gallery, London
Summer Collection, Duran|Mashaal Gallery, Montréal
Edit, Adapt, Evolve with Liberty Gallery, Royal Over-Seas League, London
London Original Print Fair with Long & Ryle, The Royal Academy of Arts, London
New prints curated by Gas Gallery at Volcano Coffee Works, London
The Affordable Art Fair with Liberty & Gas Gallery, New York City
The Affordable Art Fair with Gas Gallery, Battersea, London
Art Wynwood with Duran|Mashaal Gallery, Miami
London Art Fair with Long & Ryle, London
2017
New Prints curated by Rise Art, Cass Art Space, Islington, London
Context Art Miami with Duran|Mashaal Gallery, Miami
Art on a Postcard, Unit London, London
Megalopolis, curated by Caiger Contemporary, Gallery Oxo, Oxo Tower Wharf, London
The Other Art Fair, The Truman Brewery, London
The Affordable Art Fair with Duran|Mashaal Gallery, New York City
Jealous Gallery at The Hoxton Hotel, Paris
Gallery Artists, Someth1ng Gallery, London
Art Market Hamptons with Duran|Mashaal Gallery, The Bridgehampton Museum, NY
Gallery Artists, Curious Duke Gallery, London
London Original Print Fair with Long & Ryle, The Royal Academy of Arts, London
Gallery Artists, Duran|Mashaal Gallery, Montréal, Canada
The Affordable Art Fair with Caiger & Liberty, New York City
Time, Memory, and Landscape, Long & Ryle, London (catalogue)
The Affordable Art Fair with Caiger Contemporary Art, Battersea, London
London Art Fair with Long & Ryle, London
2016
Incognito, Royal Over-Seas League, London
Christmas Show, Jealous Gallery, London
Gallery Artists, Someth1ng Gallery, London
Curious Duke Gallery at Walthamstow Window Gallery, London
Moniker Art Fair with Jealous Gallery, The Truman Brewery, London
Art on a Postcard, Moniker Art Fair, The Truman Brewery, London
New prints, Someth1ng Gallery, London
LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair with Long & Ryle, Berkeley Square, London
Jealous Gallery Take Over at Ply Gallery, Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre, London
Summer Show, Jealous Gallery, London
Summer Exhibition, Curious Duke Gallery, London
Gallery Artists, Someth1ng Gallery, London
The Art & Antiques Fair with Long & Ryle, Olympia, London
The Affordable Art Fair with Jealous Gallery, Hampstead, London
Art 16 with Long & Ryle, Olympia, London
London Original Print Fair with Long & Ryle, The Royal Academy of Arts, London
Dallas Art Fair with 10 Hanover, Dallas, Texas
MTV RE:DEFINE for MTV Staying Alive Foundation + Dallas Contemporary, Dallas, Texas
After Show Party, Scream London, London
Insert [Art] Here, Curious Duke Gallery, London
London Art Fair with Long & Ryle, London
2015
Christmas Show, Jealous Gallery, London
Winter Exhibition, Scream London, London
New prints, Something Gallery, London
The Curious Society, Curious Duke Gallery, London
The Affordable Art Fair with Jealous Gallery, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The Affordable Art Fair with Jealous Gallery, Battersea, London
The Other Art Fair, The Truman Brewery, London
Art on a Postcard, Moniker Art Fair, The Truman Brewery, London
New prints, Curious Duke Gallery, London
Scream London goes to Stockholm, Östermalm, Stockholm, Sweden
LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair with Long & Ryle, Berkeley Square, London
20|21 British Art Fair with Long & Ryle, Royal College of Art, London
Summer in the City, Scream London, London
Summer Exhibition, Jealous Gallery, London
Henley Festival with My Life In Art, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon
An Occasional Vacation, UCLH Street Gallery, London
The Affordable Art Fair with My Life In Art, Hampstead, London
The Affordable Art Fair with Jealous Gallery, Hampstead, London
20|21 International Art Fair with Jealous Gallery, Royal College of Art, London
The Art House at Rizon Jet curated by Artelier, London Biggin Hill Airport
Stroke Art Fair with Jealous Gallery, Munich
The Other Art Fair, Victoria House, Southampton Row, London
The London Original Print Fair with Jealous Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, London
The Affordable Art Fair with Jealous Gallery, New York City
The Affordable Art Fair with My Life In Art, Battersea, London
A Collection of Small Paintings, The Contemporary London at Space W10, London
London Art Fair with My Life In Art, London
Jealous Take Over CNB Gallery, Cock 'n' Bull Gallery, London
2014
Winter Collective, Albemarle Gallery, London
New paintings, McRae Litt Fine Art, Vail, Colorado, USA
Other Abstractions, Nitra Gallery, Thessaloníki, Greece
The Contemporary London at Space W10, London
Fresh, Jealous Gallery, Crouch End, London
The Affordable Art Fair with Jealous Gallery, Battersea, London
The Other Art Fair, The Truman Brewery, London
Moniker Art Fair with Jealous Gallery, Brick Lane, London
Art Car Boot Sale with Jealous Gallery, Folkestone
New Contemporaries, Halcyon Gallery, New Bond Street, London
2013
House Arts Festival, as part of Brighton Festival (commissioned by Arts Council England and curated by Mariele Neudecker)
Contemporary Showcase, Halcyon Gallery, New Bond Street, London
Summer Exhibition, Halcyon Gallery, New Bond Street, London
Contemporary Art, Halcyon Gallery, New Bond Street, London
2012
Mixed Exhibition, Halcyon Gallery, New Bond Street, London
Contemporary Art, Halcyon Gallery, New Bond Street, London
Mixed Exhibition, Halcyon Gallery, Harrods, London
Mixed Exhibition, Halcyon Gallery, New Bond Street, London
2011
The Art Room Auction, Halcyon Gallery, Bruton Street, London
Gallery Artists, Halcyon Gallery, New Bond Street, London
Seeking New Landscapes, Halcyon Gallery, Bruton Street, London
London Art Fair with Sumarria Lunn, London
2010
KIAF - Korea International Art Fair, with Sumarria Lunn + Hanmi Gallery, Seoul, Korea
Junoesque, Hackney Wicked Art festival, London
Geometry Is Never Wrong, Wieden + Kennedy, London
London Art Fair with Sumarria Lunn, London
New Year Show, Blackheath Gallery, London
2009
The Medical Foundation Art Auction, Sumarria Lunn, London
Open Studio, Hackney Wicked Art Festival, London
In A Word, Sumarria Lunn, London
Travelling Light, Wilson Williams Gallery, London and La Biennale di Venezia, Venice
Mink Schmink, Wilson Williams Gallery, London
2008
CUBE Prize, CUBE Centre for the Urban Built Environment, Manchester
The Affordable Art Fair, London
Open Studio, Hackney Wicked Art Festival, London
Aureole, installation in St. George's Church, Stockport
Shoplifters, Conway Hall, University of the Arts London, London
New Work, Serco Ltd., London
2007
Christmas Show, My Life In Art, London
The Affordable Art Fair, London
New Work, Neo, ExCel Centre, London
Gallery Artists, Rowley Gallery, London
The House and Garden Fair, London
2006
Beneath, Surface Gallery, Nottingham
ReNew: A Collaboration, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool
Prelude, Spitalfields Market, London
Twisted / Cognitive / Sublime, Wine Gallery, London
What Is Domestic?, one.c, South Brent, Devon
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
The London Art and Design Show, Mary Ward House, London
2D Open, Surface Gallery, Nottingham
2004
My Fest, The Foundry, London
RCA Secret, Royal College of Art, London
Summer Show, Florence Trust, St. Saviours, London
Spring Show, Blackheath Gallery, London
2003
Under Construction, Florence Trust, London
Lexmark European Art Prize, EyeStorm Gallery, London
Eye Jam, Ogilvy + Mather, London
The Show, Royal College of Art, London
Over The Road, curated by Artlab, Imperial College, London
Hunting Art Prize, Royal College of Art, London
2002
Painting Interim, Royal College of Art, London
Diversion, Royal College of Art, London
2001
RCA Secret, Royal College of Art, London
Middlesex University Degree Show, London
Awards / Residencies
2020 ING Discerning Eye, Shortlisted / Virtual
2013 Aesthetica Art Prize, Shortlisted, Aesthetica Magazine, York
2010 Berwick Gymnasium Arts Fellowship, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
2010 Fringe MK Painting Prize, Shortlisted, Fringe MK, Milton Keynes
2008 CUBE Prize, Shortlisted, CUBE Centre for the Urban Built Environment, Manchester
2006 Celeste Art Prize, Shortlisted, The The Truman Brewery, London
2003 Annual Studio Residency, Florence Trust, St Saviour’s, London
2003 Lexmark European Art Prize, Finalist, EyeStorm, London
2003 Hunting Art Prize, Young Artist of the Year, Royal College of Art, London
2003 Jerwood Artist Platform, Shortlisted, Jerwood Foundation, London
Publications
Art Material-ism, group exhibition catalogue published by Catto Gallery (2023)
Wish You Were Here...?, group exhibition catalogue published by TAG Fine Arts (2023)
My Atalanta, solo exhibition catalogue published by Long & Ryle (2020)
In Arcadia, solo exhibition catalogue published by Duran|Mashaal Gallery (2018)
EMPIRE, solo exhibition catalogue published by Long & Ryle (2016)
Paramour, solo exhibition catalogue published by Halcyon Gallery (2012)
Press / Media
2024 Interview with TAG Fine Arts
2024 Feature by Tabish Khan in Elephant Magazine
2023 The Art Movement Happening Right Now..., My Modern Met
2023 Art Material-ism on BBC London
2023 The Top 5 Art Exhibitions to see in London, FAD
2023 Art Material-ism, Kolaj Magazine
2023 New exhibition: denim, wallpaper, and sneakers in a new light, Fashion United
2023 What’s next when art meets fashion? Art Material-ism, The Spin Off
2023 Art Material-ism: A Fusion of Art and Unconventional Materials, Magzoid Magazine
2023 Feature in Distillery District Magazine, Toronto
2023 The Top 5 Art Exhibitions to see in London right now, FAD
2022 Feature on BBC North West
2022 The Top 5 Exhibitions to see in London, FAD
2022 Review of Ariel by Balasz Takac, Widewalls
2022 Feature in Art Plugged
2022 Celestine ii featured in Dwell
2022 Culture Fix, Fabric Magazine
2022 Feature in The Mayfair Musings
2022 Interview with Hannah MacInnes, Times Radio
2022 Feature in Made in Shoreditch Magazine
2022 Painter's mountain wallpaper works go on show, BBC News
2022 Feature in The Sybarite
2022 Feature in European Business Magazine
2022 Interview with 1883 Magazine
2022 The Best Art Exhibitions in London, Country & Town House
2022 The Top 13 Exhibitions To See In April, Londonist
2022 Beatrix featured in The Telegraph
2021 Ottoline, cover artwork for Mad Honey by SJ Naudé, Penguin Random House
2020 Feature on Jackson's Art Blog
2020 The Top 5 Art Exhibitions to see in London, FAD
2020 Getting your art fix, Darling Magazine
2020 ArtCan Visit the London Art Fair, ArtCan
2019 The Other Art Fair feature, The Guardian
2019 Interview with TAG Fine Arts
2019 Artists to Watch in 2019, Go With Yamo
2019 10 Mixed Media Artists to Inspire You, The Art of Education
2018 Starting an Art Collection, Broadsheet
2018 Jealous Needs You, Wall Street International
2018 Frieze Week: The Best of The Rest, Katharine Nichols
2018 Highlights of LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair, Apollo Magazine
2018 Ten Squared with LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair, The World of Interiors
2018 The Top 7 Art Exhibitions to see in London this week, FAD
2018 Exhibition view of A Devotion, Someth1ng Gallery, YouTube
2018 An introduction to A Devotion, Someth1ng Gallery, YouTube
2018 Interview with Art on a Postcard
2018 Feature by The Jealous Curator
2018 Interview with Rise Art
2017 Trendwatch: Cobalt Blue, Homes & Interiors Scotland
2017 Art on a Postcard, The International Business Times
2017 The Art of Disguise, The Times
2017 The Hot List, Metro London
2017 Feature in Create Mag
2016 Curator's Choice with Mall Galleries
2016 Interview with Tabish Khan, FAD
2016 EMPIRE featured in Kolaj Magazine
2016 Review of EMPIRE by Paul Carey-Kent, FAD
2016 Foreword by Sarah Long, EMPIRE, exhibition catalogue
2016 Interview with Art Pharmacy
2016 Interview with Jung Katz
2016 Waterfalls and Wallpaper: an interview with The Other Art Fair
2015 Studio visit with Scream London
2015 Instagram takeover with The Other Art Fair
2015 How To Start Your Own Art Collection Without Breaking The Bank, Londonist
2015 Interview with Tabish Khan, FAD
2015 Constructing Landscapes: an interview with The Other Art Fair
2015 Emmaline ii featured on WeTransfer
2015 Studio visit with New York based design blog Campsite
2014 5 Artists To Look Out For At The Other Art Fair, Londonist
2014 Five to Watch During London's Art Fair week, Axisweb
2014 Investing in art, Money Week, issue 716
2014 Behind the scenes campaign shoot, Akris collaboration, YouTube
2014 Alumnus interview with Middlesex University
2014 Avant art, Glass magazine
2014 Teton featured in Coveteur
2014 Teton featured in Harper's Bazaar
2014 How to buy tomorrow’s Damien Hirsts, The Telegraph
2014 Interview with The Palette Pages
2014 Alumnus interview with the Royal College of Art
2013 Interview with Mark Sheerin, Criticismism
2013 Interview with House Arts Festival, YouTube
2013 Review of Hero by Mark Sheerin, Criticismism
2013 Making modern art pay by degrees, The Guardian
2013 Odalisque featured in Image Magazine
2012 Studio visit with Art Wednesday
2012 Review of Paramour by Tabish Khan, Londonist
2012 In conversation with Judith King, Paramour, exhibition catalogue
2012 Foreword by Cherie Federico, Paramour, exhibition catalogue
2011 In conversation with Alli Sharma, Articulated Artists
2010 Q&A with Sarah Kendell, People Like Me
2010 Introducing Hybridity by Donna Marie Howard, Who's Jack
2008 Designers at home, Marie Claire
2007 Sit pretty with paintings, Financial Times
2003 David's brush with Euro success, Stockport Times West
2003 Painters target the Turner, The Guardian
Teaching / Talks
2023 Imaginary Landscapes: In Conversation, TAG Fine Arts at Gallery 46, London
2018 Royal Over-Seas League, London
2014 Visiting Artists Society, University of Brighton
2013 University of Brighton, as part of House Arts Festival
2011 Northumbria University
2011 City of Sunderland College
2010 ISIS Arts, Newcastle
2010 Newcastle University
2010 Berwick Gymnasium Art Gallery
2003 Liverpool John Moores University
Collections
Royal College of Art, General Energy UK, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, St John's Hospice, Tabish Khan, and private collections worldwide.