Making Beautiful Things
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Opening Reception January 25th, 2025 4pm-6pm Show runs from - January 25th, 2025 - April 19th, 2025 |
(Click above image for press kit)
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Artist - David Wiesand
Statement
My recent work of drawings and paintings is my effort to re-examine my feelings about making art: my love of the old, antique, distressed, worn things, art and objects. I am drawn to the face, figure, architecture, interiors, all seen through the lens of age, things breaking down, things being damaged/destroyed by people, time, weather, graffiti, the elements. I find a certain beauty in things that are not perfect, with imperfections and patina.
The process for my recent drawings is just finding a comfortable space in which to work - my kitchen in this instance. I don't need much to work besides pencils, paper, an antique Japanese scholars box I use to keep my few implements, and inspiration from my huge collection of images I save on Pinterest.
The drawings have probably an excessive amount of time spent on them - I love to work, rework, erase, make random marks overtop of what I have already drawn, as to me the act of drawing is very pleasurable, and the evolution of these drawings is quite significant, going through many versions before arriving at the final product. The surface and quality of the drawings is achieved by this massive amount of layering, removing, reapplying, and the occasional spill of food or coffee on them. I make my own frames because most importantly - I can, because of my background in design, furniture and lighting construction, and a passion for picture frames throughout history - the frames for the drawings are inspired by classicism, brutalism, and my attempt to create something with an almost otherworldly feeling, inspired by films like Blade Runner and Dune, so that they have a sense of not quite fitting in any specific design period, they might be from the future…
My paintings are from my love of large art, massive canvases seen in museums are one of my great love, the awe in seeing what someone from the past did that must be done from the same place I find myself in: wanting to communicate a sense of drama, mystery, encouraging the viewer to feel something - what is happening here? How does it make one feel? I want the viewer to have deep feelings by these images - hopefully it is some sense of awe, questioning what time period is this trying to depict, past, present or future.
The process for my recent drawings is just finding a comfortable space in which to work - my kitchen in this instance. I don't need much to work besides pencils, paper, an antique Japanese scholars box I use to keep my few implements, and inspiration from my huge collection of images I save on Pinterest.
The drawings have probably an excessive amount of time spent on them - I love to work, rework, erase, make random marks overtop of what I have already drawn, as to me the act of drawing is very pleasurable, and the evolution of these drawings is quite significant, going through many versions before arriving at the final product. The surface and quality of the drawings is achieved by this massive amount of layering, removing, reapplying, and the occasional spill of food or coffee on them. I make my own frames because most importantly - I can, because of my background in design, furniture and lighting construction, and a passion for picture frames throughout history - the frames for the drawings are inspired by classicism, brutalism, and my attempt to create something with an almost otherworldly feeling, inspired by films like Blade Runner and Dune, so that they have a sense of not quite fitting in any specific design period, they might be from the future…
My paintings are from my love of large art, massive canvases seen in museums are one of my great love, the awe in seeing what someone from the past did that must be done from the same place I find myself in: wanting to communicate a sense of drama, mystery, encouraging the viewer to feel something - what is happening here? How does it make one feel? I want the viewer to have deep feelings by these images - hopefully it is some sense of awe, questioning what time period is this trying to depict, past, present or future.
Biography
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David Wiesand (b. 1956) is a Baltimore native. He began his education at New York University in '75, and went on to earn a BS fine Art from Towson University in '79 and an MFA in Studio Painting from MICA in '81. Since '86 David has owned and operated McLain Wiesand Custom Built Furniture which is presently located in a 19th century townhouse in Baltimore City. 4,500 square feet of showrooms, offices and workspace. Mclain Wiesand originally started with a strong Concentration in 18th and 19th century art, antiques and decorative objects. About 1993 the business redirected to the design and manufacture of original furnishings and decorative accessories with a strong neoclassical influence. Product is produced in both painted and finished wood, wrought iron, as well as cast decorative objects from molds made in-house. Current line includes some 80 items in categories of consoles, beds, chairs, cocktail tables, cabinetry, tables, lighting, architectural, and accessories. Decorative painted finishes are a specialty.
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