DAVID CRAWFORD
Artist Statement
I endeavour in my work to challenge culturally normative psychological linkages and associations.
By detaching image interpretation from traditionally dominant cultural tropes, I aim to bring in a degree of ‘spectrality’ to the image.
For the spectator this can also bring in an initial sense of cognitive estrangement that calls for a reappraisal of what constitutes creative understanding and encourages a deeper search by the observer for contemporaneous cultural anchor points to better interrogate the image.
I have an interest in ‘absence’ and what kind of symbols or ethereal presence signifiers suggest narrative forms that fold and collapse time.
My practice minimises the image from being located in accepted temporality structures and speaks to obscurities and mysteriousness within the creative process. I am keen to explore the persistence of past components in the present and how cultural memory and personal reminiscence intersect within the creative making process and the image itself.
When I am making work, I have curiosity as an Art Research practitioner in exploring the following themes:
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Mystery
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Not knowing
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Beauty
I feel that perpetuating mysteriousness in the image assists in developing novel ways of looking that evaluate modernity. I pay continuing attentiveness to how the past informs artistic making and how these creative processes propagate assemblages of our shared present cultural identities.
David Crawford
2025
Brief biography
David was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and spent his formative years in the North East of England.
He graduated with a Fine Art BA (Hons) degree in 1987 and his Curriculum Vitae lists multiple postgraduate qualifications.
David worked as a specialist commercial Portrait Photographer, before concentrating upon his own artistic career.
To complement his personal visual arts practice David studied Art History at Oxford University, England.
In addition, between 2022 and 2024, he completed an academic study of "Western Esotericism and Greek Myth" with Dr S. Chaitow.
More historically he has presented at national conferences and taught on a sessional basis in several UK universities on a range of diverse topics.
He currently runs a successful studio in the North East of England.
He resides in rural Northumberland.
He has exhibited internationally and across the UK.
His work is held in numerous private collections.
All Solo exhibitions are prefixed by 'David Crawford' below.
2024 EXHIBITIONS
The Biscuit Factory Open studio event. Newcastle upon Tyne. Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 November 2024.
David Crawford."Absence and Non-being" Peoples Theatre Foyer Gallery. Heaton. Newcastle upon Tyne.
Monday 9 September 2024 - Friday 18 October 2024.
"Celebrating Yorkshire".
1 August to Saturday 31 August 2024.
Badger in the Wall Gallery
North Yorkshire
LA2 8EQ
The Biscuit Factory Open studio event. Newcastle upon Tyne. 16 March - 17 March 2024.
David Crawford. "Metaphysical" . NSCFC. North Tyneside. 2 January - 31 January 2024.
2023 EXHIBITIONS
Newcastle
Open studio event
25 November - 26 November 2023.
Biscuit Factory studios.
Newcastle Upon Tyne.
UK
"Narrativas Exhibition" in Brazil.
4 March - 18 March 2023
Echos Studio
R.Pelotas,400 - Vila Mariana.
São Paulo - Brazil.
"Monochrome: International Photography Exhibition".
3 February - 28 February 2023.
Glasgow Gallery of Photography.
57 Glassford Street, Glasgow G1 1UG.
January 2023 International group exhibition 'A Moment in Time' with associated exhibition catalogue release
https://www.cistaarts.com/amomentintime
David Crawford. "No more benign skies". The Exchange Theatre. North Tyneside. 1 December 2022 to 10 January 2023.