part of the landscape - an interview with David Thomas
This year, IAWN is working with Helfa Gelf to cover their YMYL-2-EDGE programme that involves nine selected artists innovating their creative practice by fusing art and tech in exciting new ways. We are pleased to present the third in a series of interviews with the participants.
Here artist David Thomas talks with Remy Dean, the Edge2 Curator.
After studying in London for his degree and post-graduate qualifications, David Thomas won a travelling scholarship to the USA and has continued to exhibit his work as well as taking up various part-time and full-time teaching posts throughout the UK. He moved to North Wales about a decade ago, where he continues to create...
"After an initial interest in painting at college," David explains, "the work I produced after was mostly sculpture and drawing, although I did continue to produce some painting. Now my work is primarily painting in oi), along with photography and digital print-making. I like to be able to produce work in more than one medium and to explore and experiment in different areas. In recent years the work has been related to landscape - about landscape rather than a transcription. Like a lot of artists living in North Wales, it's impossible to ignore the environment in the broadest sense. I've tried to avoid a transcriptive approach. I would describe it as expressive but not quite abstract."
When asked about how he approaches his work, in terms of process, he said, "I use photography as a means of recording – I often manipulate this material searching for new means of visual expression. This can lead on to a work which develops in an organic fashion. I also produce prints from these photos. I usually start a painting using very free spontaneous brush or palette knife marks then rework the surface, often several times - I'm looking for the maximum opportunity to create the unexpected, shape form texture and colour. I am more of a visual person than conceptual in approach to making art." He lists Picasso, Turner, David Smith and Anslem Kiefer among the artists who have been his favourites over the years.
How has involvement with EDGE2, through Helfa Gelf, challenged or extended his way of working?
"I have enjoyed the challenge of using the new technology, or at least new to me. It is still on-going so there are still plenty of challenges ahead, not least producing a work to fit the brief." He says the best things about being part of the EDGE2 programme has been, "Having a specific focus, learning new skills, the possibility of making work outside my 'normal' practice - meeting and chatting to other users of the facility."
Finally, what sort of work can we expect to see in the final EDGE2 coming up New Year 2019?
"At the moment I have been working with acrylic, laser and vinyl cutter. I am looking at something three dimensional, possibly incorporating light, reflection and movement. Still experimenting!"
An exhibition of selected work produced during Helfa Gelf's YMYL-2-EDGE programme will be showing, Saturday 19 January – Sunday 10 February 2019, in the Bocs Gwyn / White Box Innovation Space, Bangor.
More about Bangor University's Arloesi Pontio Innovation - fabLAB - HERE
You can read the YMYL-2-EDGE call-out and brief HERE
Helfa Gelf is now an annual event - an Arts Trail through North Wales during September that involves hundreds of artists, crafters - creatives of all kinds - in an exciting and varied festival of events. Many creatives open the doors of their studios to the public, presenting an opportunity to interact and share their creative practices. The open studios season is during September and is also preceded - and then followed by - a programme of exhibitions, workshops and courses for creative professionals, interested novices, and all those between. Helfa Gelf presents a unique opportunity to meet and chat with artists, makers and doers in their creative spaces, see them at work, perhaps have a go yourself, and see their finished work - which is often available to purchase at special 'trade prices' - ideal if you want to get some unique Yuletide shopping sorted ahead of the rush...
Find out more HERE
Here artist David Thomas talks with Remy Dean, the Edge2 Curator.
After studying in London for his degree and post-graduate qualifications, David Thomas won a travelling scholarship to the USA and has continued to exhibit his work as well as taking up various part-time and full-time teaching posts throughout the UK. He moved to North Wales about a decade ago, where he continues to create...
(all images courtesy of the artist)
"After an initial interest in painting at college," David explains, "the work I produced after was mostly sculpture and drawing, although I did continue to produce some painting. Now my work is primarily painting in oi), along with photography and digital print-making. I like to be able to produce work in more than one medium and to explore and experiment in different areas. In recent years the work has been related to landscape - about landscape rather than a transcription. Like a lot of artists living in North Wales, it's impossible to ignore the environment in the broadest sense. I've tried to avoid a transcriptive approach. I would describe it as expressive but not quite abstract."
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How has involvement with EDGE2, through Helfa Gelf, challenged or extended his way of working?
"I have enjoyed the challenge of using the new technology, or at least new to me. It is still on-going so there are still plenty of challenges ahead, not least producing a work to fit the brief." He says the best things about being part of the EDGE2 programme has been, "Having a specific focus, learning new skills, the possibility of making work outside my 'normal' practice - meeting and chatting to other users of the facility."
Finally, what sort of work can we expect to see in the final EDGE2 coming up New Year 2019?
"At the moment I have been working with acrylic, laser and vinyl cutter. I am looking at something three dimensional, possibly incorporating light, reflection and movement. Still experimenting!"
- Thank you David Thomas
find more examples of work by David Thomas
at the Picture Wales website HERE
at the Picture Wales website HERE
An exhibition of selected work produced during Helfa Gelf's YMYL-2-EDGE programme will be showing, Saturday 19 January – Sunday 10 February 2019, in the Bocs Gwyn / White Box Innovation Space, Bangor.
More about Bangor University's Arloesi Pontio Innovation - fabLAB - HERE
You can read the YMYL-2-EDGE call-out and brief HERE
Helfa Gelf is now an annual event - an Arts Trail through North Wales during September that involves hundreds of artists, crafters - creatives of all kinds - in an exciting and varied festival of events. Many creatives open the doors of their studios to the public, presenting an opportunity to interact and share their creative practices. The open studios season is during September and is also preceded - and then followed by - a programme of exhibitions, workshops and courses for creative professionals, interested novices, and all those between. Helfa Gelf presents a unique opportunity to meet and chat with artists, makers and doers in their creative spaces, see them at work, perhaps have a go yourself, and see their finished work - which is often available to purchase at special 'trade prices' - ideal if you want to get some unique Yuletide shopping sorted ahead of the rush...
Find out more HERE
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