davidpauldowns

Artist Statement

Through the combination of careful photographic processes and experimental
painting, I am working toward a dialogue between order and chaos. I often use the
relationship between man (or man-made structures) and nature (how nature consumes
these structures with time) to create this conversation.
With camera in hand, I arrive upon places that exemplify the battle between
man, nature, and time. It may be an old burned airplane hangar that has now been
consumed by a swampy marsh, or maybe a ship graveyard by the shore where only
remnants of the vessels remain. All of these settings are a footprint left by man, one
that presides in deep contrast to its natural surroundings. After photographing the
discovery and uniting the canvas with the photographic image, I revert to my intuition
and begin to paint. Building with thick, mixed layers of soil, acrylic, iron, and oil paint, I
alternate between construction and deconstruction. I combine conflicting materials and
observe their reactions. Some materials are eaten away while others mix. Some are
pushed aside and some remain firm. These interactions give life to intricate textures
and mimic the relationships portrayed in the photograph. Order and chaos become
balance.
My current work grew from a combined love of photography and painting. I have
always been drawn to the clarity and directness of the black and white photograph. A
print made through traditional means has a way of feeling “true” in it’s representation of
a subject matter. However, a photograph only explains the outer half of the story.
Through painting, I can open the inner half. I can express how I was affected
personally. My work attempts to bring these conversational devices together in a bold
and organic way. As the viewer looks upon my work, they are challenged to see beyond
the image that is presented, and absorb it’s greater meaning.

Artist Bio

David Downs was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1978. Throughout his life, David
always found escape though artistic means. Since the lack of financial resources kept
him from partaking in finer education, most of David’s artistic practices have been self-taught.
In 1998, David enrolled in St. Louis Community College at Meramec. He brought
with him a newly discovered interest in photography, which grew from classes he had
taken in high school. David would work as many as three jobs at once while attending
Meramec part-time to pursue his education in photography.
David left St. Louis for Chicago, Illinois in 2001. There, with a greater
concentration of artists and galleries, David knew Chicago would be the right place to
find inspiration. He began to reach beyond photography and wanted to rekindle his love
for painting. By experimenting with collage, photo-transfer, and photo-application, David
developed many of the techniques he still uses today.
In 2004, David moved to New York City to explore it’s vast artistic community. In
New York, David pushed his medium into bigger and bolder directions. He began to
understand his love for texture and how it related to his work as well as how it was
reflected his photographs. Throughout New York City, David began showing his work
with encouraging success. After a few years, however, it was time to move back to
Chicago.
Currently, David is working towards a new aesthetic in his artwork. His work
reflects the harmony obtained through diversification and conflict. David now feels that
he truly understands the philosophies behind his craft, and his artwork has become
stronger and more deeply rooted in those beliefs.
In January 2008, David began Sprocketbox.com, an online publication focusing on contemporary art in
the city of Chicago. This unique publication explores the most current art trends in Chicago, offering
artist interviews, gallery listings, and reviews of art shows. Through this website, David hopes to unite
artists, galleries, and art enthusiasts throughout the city.

Artist C.V.

Solo Exhibitions:

2006 “Age and Decay”
The Lucky Cat (Williamsburg) New York, NY

Selected Group Exhibitions:

2005 “Subversive Means”
Dick Blick Gallery (NoHo) New York, NY

2005 “NoHo ArtWalk”
(NoHo) New York, NY

2005 “Emily Rosen and David Downs”
Dick Blick Gallery (NoHo) New York, NY

Education:

2003 The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Scholarships Awarded:
Merit Scholarship

1998-2000 St. Louis Community College at Meramec
Scholarships Awarded:
Merit Scholarship

Workshops:

2007 “Comic Book Design and Creation” Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Evanston, IL
2007 “Comic Book Workshop” Chicago Botanic Gardens

Published Works:

2008-Present Sprocketbox.com (Creator, editor, web-designer)
2006 “M” issue 1, Triton Comics (Writer, artist, publisher)