David Studwell is a contemporary British artist and printmaker who studied at Central St Martins School of Art. Having worked as an artist for over 20 years, Studwell harnesses the spirit of the sixties and seventies, the cult of celebrity and the legacy of Warhol to produce iconic screen prints. His works explore the darker side of fame, nostalgia and Americana-police mug shots of well-known stars show them at their most vulnerable, or at their most defiant. Private moments of icons at screen tests or during reflection become graphically public, produced in bold and vivid colours.
Studwell’s work also tracks the legacy of photography, technology and photographers in the 20th century. Studwell worked with Sir Elton John and renowned photographer Terry O’Neill to produce ‘Elton John: Home Run-Dodger Stadium 1975,’ a six-colour screenprint with diamond dust. The print is a re-working of Terry’s iconic photograph, capturing Elton at the height of his fame in 1975. Studwell also uses the advancement in technology to his advantage to add more sophistication and dynamic layers to his work.
Throughout late 2018 David’s work was heavily featured in the UK’s national press. It was decided that a few co-signed copies of the Elton John piece would be produced aside from the edition and that one would be sold at auction in the lead up to Christmas with all profits going to the Elton John Aids Foundation. The work was promoted and auctioned through the London Evening Standard newspaper, selling for a sum in excess of £12,000.
Since having trained at St Martins School of Art, David’s skills have been honed over some twenty plus years, marking him out as a true professional. This quality has already placed David’s work firmly in the canon of numerous top tier private celebrity art collections, including those of Kate Moss, Sheryl Crow and Nile Rodgers. Studwell’s work harnesses the true spirit of the fifties, sixties and seventies. His art offers a crisp commentary on the cult of celebrity following in the direct legacy of Andy Warhol and the sixties Pop Art movement.
Studwell works through the medium of Silkscreen printing with the use of bold and vibrant colour and a very demanding level of technical precision. He often incorporates the use of razor-sharp diamond dust to finish his works. The signature Studwell look is one of a high-end classic Hollywood glamour that evokes high fashion whilst eschewing passing fads.
Unlike the Street, Urban and Punk movements which grew from their sixties mother like angry bastard children, Studwell’s work is the pure-bred heir. His silkscreens directly reference the counterculture cool of the sixties and seventies, with a cutting-edge contemporary style apparent in his striking juxtapositions of beauty, fame and stardom with technicolour expose of inner vulnerability. Studwell has gone back to the past in order to comment on the present.
Self-taught or art school?
I trained at Central Saint Martins in London. It was a good starting point and taught me the importance of tapping into current trends and fashions. It helped me to understand fashions or styles in art as a form of currency.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
Michelangelo’s David, I don’t know where I would put it-Maybe in the garden?! That work is perfection for me, absolute genius.
How would you describe your style?
Pop Art with a modern twist. Or if you want to get technical; ‘Neo-Pop Art’ I suppose.
A theme that runs through my work is celebrity. My work harks back to bygone classic eras like the 60’s and the 70’s; when celebrity held a very different meaning to what it does today. I transport stars from those classic eras into the modern world by adding my own unique and contemporary stamp to each work.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
I start by searching for a photograph of a particular subject; say Paul Newman. I then spend a long time figuring out colours and tonal elements. Once I’ve figured the colours, overall look and texture of the piece I then go into the studio.
I start by preparing my screens; there’s a lot to do before you even put ink to paper. I then build up various layers; finally adding a halftone. Screen printing can be very frustrating but it’s magical when it all comes together.
Is narrative important within your work?
Yes, it’s important to give context to my work. I transport yesteryear stars into the present with washes of retro-colour; embedding each one into a contemporary space. Celebrity is a key theme and a word that held a different meaning in the 60’s and 70’s to what it does today. The word celebrity carried weight back then; unlike today when unknowns are thrust into the spotlight via reality TV shows. James Dean and Marilyn Monroe all stem from those classic eras; the golden age of Hollywood. They didn’t have social media to help raise their profiles; they had to rely on hard graft.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
It’s a long list and there’s probably a different reason attached to each artist. Matisse, Picasso, Salvador Dali, David Hockney, Van Gogh, Man Ray and of course Warhol. Picasso is fascinating because he could turn his hand to anything; he was one of a kind. Dali; because he was so outrageous but also incredibly gifted
What or who inspires your art?
It can be anything from a magazine cover to a billboard walking down the street. I also tap into the legacy of Warhol and photographers of the twentieth century. I was fortunate enough to work with Terry O’Neill a few years ago.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I used to use a studio in west London but recently started using a studio in Peckham. It’s an open-access studio solely offering screen printing which is perfect for me. You get to meet other artists and see their work.
Do you have any studio rituals?
Not really. I try and be as organised as I can be and like to work quickly. It’s hard graft!
What are you working on currently?
I’m working on an American car screen print. It’s a real 1950’s gas-guzzler. I love American 1950’s design; the chrome, colours and shapes were sexy and beautiful. I’m also about to do a new celebrity mugshot; to add to my mugshot series showing the darker side of fame. I’m also designing an album cover for singer Emma Swift’s next album. She does covers of classics like Bob Dylan and has a stunning voice.
Where can we buy your art?
My website has a shop attached and is www.davidstudwellgallery.co.uk
I have an exhibition coming up at the Old Bank Vault Gallery in Hackney. The dates are May 11th to June 13th.
You can also buy my work through Art Hound Gallery, Zebra 1 Gallery and Artisan Gallery among others.
