Wallpaper Landscapes, Rise Art
March 2018
riseart.com

Rise Art: When did you know you wanted to become an artist?
 
David Wightman: Growing up, I spent all of my time drawing and painting. In fact, that’s almost all I did! However, it wasn’t until I made my first trip to London aged 17 that I realised there were living artists exhibiting and selling their work. I know this sounds naive but it's true! Until then, I had thought my artwork would simply continue as a private hobby. Soon after this, I moved to London for my Fine Art degree.


 
Ottoline ii, digital archival print on Somerset satin 330gsm paper with a deckle edge, 44 x 57 cm / signed limited edition of 25

RA: You use an interesting combination of acrylic paint and collaged wallpaper on canvas. Can you tell us about your process?
 
DW: The surfaces of my paintings are created using collaged wallpaper. Each piece of paper is hand-cut and collaged using a process similar to marquetry. Once the surface of the canvas is collaged, I begin painting. Colour is one of the most important aspects of my work so I spend a long time experimenting with different colour combinations before painting. My cartoons (preparatory drawings) are the basis of all of my landscape compositions. These become paintings or prints - or both!


 
Beatrix, acrylic and collaged wallpaper on canvas, 90 x 150 cm

RA: What's the concept behind the titles of your works?
 
DW: My paintings and prints are named after people I’ve met, songs, biblical and mythical figures, and interesting words I’ve taken note of. My naming convention is a small rebellion against the conceptual titles that are so prevalent in contemporary art.


 
Beatrix, acrylic and collaged wallpaper on canvas, 90 x 150 cm

RA: Are your landscapes imagined or based on real scenes?
 
DW: My landscapes are entirely imaginary. My very early landscapes were based on real places. However, I found myself tweaking and combining real landscape scenes to such a large extent that I eventually moved away from depicting real places altogether. I now start with a large blank piece of paper and start drawing and blocking in shapes. My compositions look very rough and impressionistic to start with. Eventually, I’ll be happy with a loose composition and start adding details. I want to remain completely free to create beautiful landscapes that don’t rely on being real.


 
Colour swatches in my studio

RA: What do you love about your studio?
 
DW: I built a studio in my home in East Dulwich so I could stop commuting. As I work from home, I have to make sure I don’t spend all of my time in the studio - it can be difficult to give myself a break! My local area is quiet so I can really focus. A perfect day for me is spent painting, drawing, preparing prints, and perhaps going for a long walk in Dulwich Wood or Dulwich Park.

RA: What's usually playing in your studio?
 
DW: Lots of true crime podcasts and Cocteau Twins.


 
Persephone and Empress vi at Duran|Mashaal Gallery, Montréal, Canada

RA: What are your ambitions for the future?
 
DW: I have my first non-UK solo show planned this year with Duran|Mashaal Gallery in Montréal, Canada. I’d love to continue showing internationally while pushing myself creatively.

Aimee Morris for Rise Art and David Wightman