David Edwards creates his metal drawings by liberating the shapes from his paintings and enlarging them to “life size”. A plasma cutter is used to express the shapes in metal with layers of acrylic applied to finish the process.
Rich with layers of texture, these abstract organic forms seem to seep, step, and scurry across and through walls, ceilings and corners. One cannot help but notice that there is indeed a familiarity with these shapes. Some drawings may appear to be resting, many are actively diving or accelerating into or away from each other. What do you see?
“These objects might be both familiar and strange, resembling natural forms; hives, insects, nests, human body parts–a sampling of my bio-vegetal dream world. Arranged discretely or in groups, the works represent “larval” ideas or dreams. I see no contradiction in evoking a sensuous plant form, an aggressive insect, a protective, sheltering habitat. I want to evoke, not depict; confront, not describe. I would like the viewer to experience the permutations of change (biological, psychological), the generative rhythms of my own working process.”
– David Edwards
Metal Drawings
Plastic Forms
Sculptures
Wall Reliefs
Paintings
ARTIST STATEMENT
The drawings are made by dipping a stick in ink and quickly building shapes. I try to let the forms create themselves without conscious interference. I am surprised by these “automatic” images from the unconscious. As the ink flows I feel connected to a process of growth, like a plant sprouting tendrils. Each new gesture can be a generative experience and, at it’s best, a link to the “life force”.
The metal drawings can be seen as originating from this drawing process and
dramatizing the forms in a new medium.
FORWARD TO NATURE
“Certain people say we should go back to nature. I notice they never say that we should go forward to nature.”
-Adolph Gottlieb 1947
These objects might be both familiar and strange, resembling natural forms; hives, insects, nests, human body parts–a sampling of my bio-vegetal dream world.
Arranged discretely or in groups, the works represent “larval” ideas or dreams. I see no contradiction in evoking a sensuous plant form, an aggressive insect, a protective, sheltering habitat. I want to evoke, not depict; confront, not describe. I would like the viewer to experience the permutations of change (biological, psychological), the generative rhythms of my own working process.
BIO
David Edwards was born in Wisconsin and grew upin San Jose. He current lives in San Francisco with his family. David has a A.A. in Plastic Technology and received his B.F.A. from U.C. Santa Barbara.
1101 Lake Street at 12th Avenue
San Francisco CA 94118
415-750-9955