David Wightman (born 1980 in Stockport, Greater Manchester) is a British painter and printmaker known for his paintings and prints of colourful and imaginary landscapes. He studied Fine Art at Middlesex University (2001) and gained an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art, London (2003). David Wightman lives and works in London.
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. Most recently Wightman has collaborated with the fashion label Akris for their Fall / Winter 2014/15 collection. Wightman's work has featured in Harper's Bazaar, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Financial Times, and Money Week.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
Shin-hanga was an art movement in early 20th-century Japan. Shin-hanga artists made woodblock prints that combined traditional Japanese printing techniques with Western-style realism.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
I work entirely in my studio and paint every day.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
I try very hard not to!
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
The German-born American artist, teacher, and colour-theorist Josef Albers.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
I have no idea!
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
I tend to listen to anything not related to art. True crime podcasts are my current favourite.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
Paul Gauguin's 'A Vase of Flowers' from 1896. However, I would want to leave it in its current location at The National Gallery, London.
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
The National Gallery, London or The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.
9) What is your favourite book of all time (fiction or non-fiction)?
Moominland Midwinter (1957) by the Finnish artist and writer Tove Jansson.
10) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non-traditional art setting, where would that be?
I'd love to make an artwork to hang above the Euston Underpass in central London.
11) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
In my studio still painting and creating.
