David Booth is a sculptor and painter based in Derbyshire. Originally from Manchester, he gained a place art college at the age of 17 but instead took an apprenticeship. This was a decision he regretted, feeling he had missed his chance at an art career. When an opportunity to study art as a mature student arose, he pursued a part time degree in Fine Art at Derby University, whilst working full time. This life path continues to inform his work which references escape, reinvention, transformation of materials and being under-estimated. It is the creative world that he feels at home in.
Describe your art practice for us
I am a sculptor and painter, and am also interested in how I can use future technology to enhance my practice. I enjoy the creative process and select processes which force me to make decisions intuitively and instinctively. Working this way is immersive. I am drawn towards repetition and multiples, creating movement and momentum; references to growth, journey, escape, time. I deliberately use transformative methods when I sculpt to reference re-invention, often exploiting the natural association of a chosen material to strengthen the context of the work. I am also developing a digital art practice.
How long have you been practising?
I been practicing since 2010, and formally studied Fine Art BA(Hons) at Derby University graduating in 2011. Since that time I have exhibited widely in regional arts festivals, art fairs, been selected for commissions, exhibited in London, and also some artist residencies. I have continued to develop my practice with research, courses and networking.
What is the most interesting/inspiring thing you have seen/been to over the last month, and why?
In August I went on a 4 day course in Coventry learning digital art coding. This included livecodelab.net which allows you to create digital art in realtime, including sound which can be projected on large screen installations. Also looked at other coding languages – Processing and Pure Data. Experts were Ashley James Brown and Antonio Roberts. Really inspiring. This resulted in me participating in a performance exhibition in Leamington Spa for “Coding Camo Performance” with Ryan Hughes, Debbie Adele Cooper, Emily Roderick, Lizzie Jenner and Daniel Salisbury.
Which other artists’ work do you admire, and why?
Two of the sculptors I am inspired by are Richard Deacon and Tara Donovan for their inspiring use of materials. I like these words Richard Deacon used to explain his practice “Changing materials from one work to the next is a way of beginning again each time (and thus of finishing what had gone before)”. For me each material has different challenges. I find Tara Donovan’s use of everyday materials in her site-specific installation art inspiring. Both inspire new ways of looking.
Where can people see your work?
I will be exhibiting at the Buy Art Fair in Manchester which is recognised as one of the UK’s most important festivals of visual arts from 22nd to 25th September.
My work can also be seen on my website.
David was interviewed in September 2016.
The photographs were taken by the artist.