Statement

After many years working in Italy I have now returned to Cornwall and set up a new studio in Redruth. My old Cornish store of two and three dimensional works, which had languished far too long while I was away, is proving to be a treasure trove to be re-cycled, and my work has been re-invigorated by these fragments of the past being integrated with my current preoccupations .

I am essentially a figurative sculptor, making images that evolve from myths and fables from around the world intertwined with my dreams and experiences, the emotional and intellectual content taking on wider connotations by considering pertinent cultural and historical reference.

Recently the most fruitful and inspirational has been the rich global histories of messengers that fly between man and the gods and the mythical, anthropomorphic creatures inhabiting man’s imagination, hopes and dreams.

There is also a continuing dialogue between figuration and abstraction during the evolution of each piece, so developments are informed by considerations of perspective, architectural space, changes of scale, distortion, abstraction and geometric composition. Sketchbooks, maquettes and working drawings underpin my search for alternative solutions during the development of my ideas. The physical process of construction and experiments with a variety of media also contribute to changes in my work, but the desire to add a gentle humour and the figurative and narrative content remain the crucial factors in resolving the final image.

Thank you for taking time to look through the images of my recent two and three dimensional artworks, as well as others from the archive. Some works are now in public or private hands, sadly some no longer exist but there are several in my studio store. If you require more information on any of the works displayed or you are interested in a studio visit, a purchase or commissioning a work please get in touch, details below.

David Westby

The Artist

Biography

Education

Sheffield College of Art. 1967-68.

Falmouth School of Art. B.A. (Hons) 2.1 1968-71.

Slade School of Art. H.D.F.A. (Lond.) Sculpture. 1971-73 (click for .pdf file)

Exhibitions

One and two person Exhibitions;

Portsmouth Polytechnic. Nottingham Polytechnic.

Falmouth Arts Centre. Galleria Zeusi, Tropea, Italy.

Circollo Gallupi, Tropea, Italy. Plymouth Arts Centre.

Crucible Theatre Gallery, Sheffield. Heslington Hall, University of York.

Falmouth Art Gallery. Falmouth School of Art Gallery.

The Showroom, Bethnal Green, London.

Group Exhibitions;

Penwith Gallery, St Ives, Cornwall. Newlyn Gallery, Penzance, Cornwall.

Brewhouse Open, Taunton. Trelissick Gallery, Truro, Cornwall.

‘Century of Art in Cornwall’, 1889-1989, Truro Museum, Cornwall.

‘The Bloodshot Eye’, touring show; Falmouth College of Arts Gallery,

The Gallery, Cork Street,London, Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham,

Plymouth Arts Centre, Devon The Hotbath Gallery, Bath.

South-West Open, Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, Devon.

Cardosa Art, Lucca, Italy. Royal West of England Academy, Bristol.

Terre D’Aqua, Turin, Italy. British Art Medal Society, London.

‘Altogether Different’ Royal Cornwall Museum Galleries, Truro, Cornwall.

Vallico in Arte, Lucca, Italy.

 

Awards

Boise Scholar, Italy and Sicily. 1973-74.

Sainsbury Award, Artist in residence at Eggbuckland School, Plymouth. 1987.

Employment

Teaching;

Portsmouth Polytechnic 1972-73 P/T Lecturer B.A. Sculpture.

Falmouth School of Art 1974-75 P/T Lecturer B.A. Sculpture.

Camborne College 1979-80 P/T Lecturer A-level Art.

Truro Adult Education Centre 1981-86 P/T Lecturer in Vocational Studies in drawing, painting and sculpture.

Falmouth College of Arts1986-2003 P/t Lecturer in Foundation Studies in sculpture, drawing, fine art, three dimensional design. Visiting lecturer on Fine Art degree course, Three Dimensional Design degree course, Visual Culture postgraduate course.

Self-employed;

1974-76 Working in the building industry.

1977-78 Panthercraft, Penryn. Research and design with prototype and production racing catamarans.

1978-80 Working in the building industry, decorative woodwork, fitted furniture, general woodworking and construction.

1985-95 Extensive renovations to studios and homes in Italy and Cornwall.

1992 (Summer) worked on restoring decorative 17th. And 18th. Century woodwork at Catureglio, Lucca, a 13th. Century villa owned by architects Pattie and Michael Hopkins.

1993 Formed Artery a group of designers and artists working in Cornwall offering consultation and creation in the field of public art.

1990-2003 Joint organiser of residential summer schools in Cornwall, France and Italy, teaching drawing, painting and sculpture.

1998-2002 Organiser of “Vallico in Arte” (Mixed exhibition and festival of international artists at Vallico Sotto, Lucca, Italy.) and Masterclasses in Fine Art and Creative Writing.

2004-2005 Major reconstruction of new home and studio in Puglia, Italy. Documented by Talkback for Channel 4’s programme ‘Grand Designs Abroad’, screened September 22nd 2004.

2004-2018 Joint organiser of residential Art courses in Puglia, Italy.

1985 to present. Working as self-employed sculptor. Exhibitions and public and private commissions.

Societies

Member of the Newlyn Society of Artists​ and frequent exhibitor.