David Horgan

Hi my name is David and I am a South London-based painter. I love to tell stories and aim to convey a narrative in my work through a colourful, bold style that expresses character and humour. Almost all of my work is figurative and I aim to convey a connection and empathy with the subject. With my portraits in particular I hope to capture personality and spirit in an expressive style. In my broader pieces I tell more of the subject’s story and build fictional scenes around characters integrating symbols, words, texture and patterns to further connect on an emotional and aesthetic level.

Instagram: @davidhorganart

HI David, How’re you doing today?

Hi, today I’m feeling the most relaxed and connected that I have in quite some time, Thanks for asking!

Where about’s are you, answering these questions?

Following on from the last question I am currently sitting in a beautifully converted Welsh cottage in somewhere I can't pronounce looking out to see whilst on holiday with 7 good friends two babies and a sausage dog.

How long have you been an artist?

Full time just over  year and half but been thinking about it forever.

What inspires you?

I take my inspiration from an amalgamation of every day life and experience that I witness and see unfold, intermingled with popular culture and iconography. Inspiration can come from anything, be it how I see someone put down paint or make a mark, a photograph, literature, poetry, a humorous soundbite, a texture or pattern. My wife’s dance moves.

Do you ever collaborate with people?

Not yet, but I am open to the opportunity if the right one came about.

If you could collaborate with anyone dead or alive who would it be?

Ooh, good question. i think it would be fun to collaborate with Basquiat. I think he was the most liberated and innovative artist to have lived.

Can you tell us what you’re working on at the moment? Or is it a secret?

I have literally just finished my largest commission to date, which were the two biggest paintings I have yet made and I loved working at the scale. I finished the day before I came here so it was perfect, so when I get back I am looking to continue at this scale nothing specific yet but obviously figurative and situational. I want to experiment a bit more with some wonky perspectives and bad 3D etc. I always have a number of portrait commissions which I love to do with some good ones currently and I am also looking to do a few of these really big!

You have a very clear style/strong style. How long did it take you to find your style? 

Thank you. I see my style evolution as being in constant flux and never feel that i have quite got there so that is nice to hear. i try not to judge it too much. I guess i know what i like but i still try to keep it open as i do not want to be static and every now and then i like to try something different. but in a highly convoluted way of answering your question i’ve been heading in my current direction for  about a year and a half. it was only when i took the leap to be a full time artist that i was able to really dig into how i want to express myself. it was a bit all over the place before.

You talk about how you want to convey a narrative with your paintings. Are the narratives of your works intertwined or each one a one off story? 

I would say that currently they are one off stories, but I imagine that as i develop my style i will also develop my language and there will be common themes.

There is also a lot of humour behind some of your pieces. Are these moments from your personal experiences or your imagination? 

It’s a bit of both to be honest. i don’t like art that takes itself too seriously and like to have fun with my work and much of it is a response to things i experience or broad common themes and I like to interpret these with humour which is from my imagination. at the same time i am always listening out for fun soundbites and situations which are often more humorous than i can make up.

Is there any symbolism / hidden meanings within your work?

Yes, some i am aware of and some probably not.

If you could change one thing about the art world what would it be?

I am still learning about the art world and feel it is kind of mysterious. i think there is a new generation of artists who are not necessarily reliant on the “art world” in a convention sense and the boundaries of this have been broken down a little my social media and the subsequent direct relationships you can have with people. the traditional art world i believe is still pretty inaccessible and people find it confusing. So I think they could learn from more independent artist and open it up a more.

If you could give someone one piece of advice at the beginning of their career, what would you say to them?

Commit to it.

What are you most proud of about your career so far? 

I recently had 10 portraits taken on exclusively with liberty. it’s an hour to be associated with such a great brand!

Is there somebody/friend or artist that inspires you in particular?

If we are talking about living artists then I would say the three I am most into at the moment are Danny Fox, Henry Taylor and Jordy Kerwick. 

Who/what is your greatest source of inspiration?

In this strange world we now live in (which has more for less coincided with my carer as a full time artist) the opportunity to go somewhere to feel inspired is somewhat limited and I have had to dig deep into my memory reserves, not to mention the internet! But I have overheard some very funny conversations, which have often been the starting point for my work.

Which city best suits the soul of your artworks?

I would have to say London as it is the only city i have yet made art in. however whilst my art is very much based on my personal experience it is not necessarily place specific although this is something i have been thinking about and will be making some work that more overtly evokes london soon.

What is usually playing when you’re working?

Recently I’ve been playing a lot of classical. I find it helps me get in the zone and stay there and tend to like string based minor key atmospheric stuff like Bach cello suites. Aside from this I am often playing something that has punk or psychedelic vibe like the stooges or King Glizzard.

What is your favourite painting/work of art you have ever done?

I’d have to go with my latest piece “The Cowboy Of Cove”

Thanks so much for letting us into your world! Anything else on the agenda today?

I think a dip is on the cards at some point, other than that I’m looking forward to doing very little!