RECENT WORKS FROM THE PHILIPPINES
Paintings by David Swales
March 6 to March 18, 2009
Artist Reception on Friday, March 6, from 7-10pm
A solo exhibition of abstract paintings by David Swales will open on Friday, March 6, 2009, at The Whitebox Gallery, Cubao. A reception for the artist will take place on the opening night from 7pm.
From his origins on The Falls Road in sectarian West Belfast, continuing through a nomadic life in Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America, David's work is an exploration of color, culture and contrasting textures experienced in many parts of the world.
As a self-taught artist and photographer, living in Asia for many years, he is heavily influenced by both Korean and Japanese Raku Ceramics and Wabi-Sabi aestheticism. Working for a period in the renowned St. Martin's School of Art and Design in London also provided David with further momentum to explore new techniques and styles.
The Japanese term Wabi-Sabi has no direct translation in the English language. It is best described as an intuitive appreciation of the understated beauty to be observed in the seasonality, asymmetry and imperfection of objects in the world around us. From the turning of the autumn leaves to the weathering of moss-covered rocks, this oft fleeting and transient beauty is a reflection of time, exposure and erosion. An acknowledgement of often unappreciated beauty within our environment is an ever-present thread within the artist's work.
Wabi-Sabi's aestheticism is a direct contrast to the traditional Western aesthetic ideals of symmetry, perfection and visual purity. A unique spiritual appreciation of a given moment in time, reflected within the continuous flow and metamorphosis of all things defines the essence of Wabi-Sabi.
The artist believes the rich processes and the journey intrinsic to each of his works are as important as the final work itself. Painting horizontally on flat canvas or wood, David builds the piece layer by layer, often utilizing ash, sand, driftwood, and other naturally weathered objects gathered on his travels. His intention is to weave the unique energy, mystery and unknown history of these items into the rich fabric of the work.
Despite a major setback in 2002, when fire destroyed his Korean studio and most of his prior works, Korea still provides one of the deepest and most evident influences in the artist's work. The artist has also resided in West Berlin, Seoul, Beverly Hills, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London, Belfast, Dortmund, Osnabruck, Cyprus and Texas.
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