David Wightman's work embraces nostalgia and aspiration. At first glance the paintings appear simply to formally reference abstraction and pop art in the repetitive use of the target motif and in the play of colour, but the use of textured wallpaper personalises the work and alludes to domesticity and working-class interiors. These formalist and decorative concerns cohabit the paintings, making us question both class and taste (in life and art) and the rigidity of differing painterly traditions. The work is aspirational because it seeks to be more than the sum of its formal values.
CV
DOB: 1980, Stockport, England - Based in London and Manchester
Education
2003 MA Painting, Royal College of Art, London
2001 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Middlesex University, London
Selected Exhibitions
2008
'Aspirations - New Paintings' (solo show), William Angel Gallery, London
CUBE Open, CUBE (Centre for the Urban Built Environment), Manchester
‘Aureole’, installation in St. George’s Church, Stockport
The Affordable Art Fair, Spring Collection (with New Blood Art), London
Shoplifters, Conway Hall / University of the Arts, London
New Work (solo show), Serco Ltd., London
2007
Christmas Show, My Life In Art, London
The Affordable Art Fair, Autumn Collection (with Rebecca Hossack Gallery), London
New Work (solo show), Neo, ExCel Centre, London
Gallery Artists, Rowley Gallery, London
The House & Garden Fair (with New Blood Art), London
New Work (solo show), Found Gallery, Trinity Buoy Wharf, London
2006
Twisted / Cognitive / Sublime, Wine Gallery, London
What Is Domestic?, one.c, South Brent, Devon
Gallery Artists (opening show), Rowley Gallery, London
Beneath (as part of the British Art Show), Surface Gallery, Nottingham
ReNew06: A Collaboration, 68 Hope Street Gallery, Liverpool
Lived In, Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk
06, EyeStorm Gallery, Ipswich
2005
Gallery Artists (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. Saviour's, London
Spring Show, Blackheath Gallery, London
2003
Under Construction, Florence Trust, St. Saviour's, London
Lexmark European Art Prize, EyeStorm Gallery, London
Eye Jam #5, Ogilvy & Mather, London
The Show, Royal College of Art, London
Hunting Art Prizes, Royal College of Art, London
2002
Painting Interim, Royal College of Art, London
Diversion, Arch 295, London
2001
Degree Show, Middlesex University, London
Residencies
Annual Studio Residency 2003, Florence Trust, St Saviours, London
Awards
Lexmark European Art Prize, Finalist 2003, EyeStorm Gallery, London
Hunting Art Prizes, Young Artist of the Year 2003, Royal College of Art, London
