David Wilson

I primarily utilize film and television performers as the figurative motif in my artwork. I find
their constructed personas intriguing because they present a wide range of emotion under the
guise of entertainment. In some instances, their characters become so engaging and believable
that they transcend the identity of the performer as an individual. The dichotomy between the
individual performer and the construct of their character is where I find my space to create:
making specific events in my life accessible for anyone to identify. I am formally influenced by
the simplistic, flat, hard-edge designs of classic movie posters. These elements are pitted in
direct interaction with the characters and assist in establishing the artificial environment that
acts as the set or landscape for the figures. Performers in each piece act as surrogates for me,
creating a less vulnerable self-portrait. As a result, my own situation becomes entertaining
rather than self-indulgent.

BIOGRAPHY

HOW DO I KNOW DR. GREGOR?

When I arrived for graduate school at ISU in 1998, Dr. Gregor has already retired. I met Gregor
though artists Harold Boyd, Rhea Edge, Ken Holder, and “Uncle” Bob Hardgrove. Sometimes,
our group met for coffee downtown Bloomington, and at other times we conversed at art
receptions. Gregor’s creative mind and vibrant color continue to influence my teaching and
artwork to this day.