Six Foot Gallery is delighted to present a broad retrospective of recent and previous works by David Martin, aka Davardo. Curses, Swears & Maledictions incorporates figurative painting, abstract constructions and modelmaking with influences derived from Davardo’s life experiences and connections with social care, offending, domestic violence, addiction and education. The thematic profiles of the works connect to one another in a mnemonic and personal journey that reveals transgressive patterns inherent in contemporary society and culture. 

Davardo studied painting and art history at St Martins, Chelsea and Canterbury Art Schools. He went on to work in the design industries and then higher and tertiary arts education and research as a lecturer, senior lecturer, course leader and project manager. Latterly he worked as a creative facilitator for offenders doing unpaid work in the community. These experiences have become inculcated into the structural concepts of the work. 

Through anecdotal and personal experiences and interactions Davardo has sought to expose the rawness of transgression that is baked into religious beliefs, adherence to political dogma, and social disparity.

Hi David. Tell us about your next project, will it be a continuation of your current style or are you experimenting with something different?
My next project has already begun. I’m deeply concerned for our humanity, and this has become a significant driver for the development of my art. It’s hardly worth elaborating on how precarious existence is just now: war and destruction are spreading exponentially as well as political instability and conflict. The environmental crisis is now impossible to overcome with the contrary idiocy of the powerful and corrupt. The threat to sorely fought for human rights and equalities, the rise of crazy religious groups and their influence over governments. The threat to women’s health and freedoms. The list is growing and increasingly threatening to the welfare of us all. So there’s plenty to do to frame these horrors even if you can’t affect them other than by trying to keep them exposed for what they represent

Can you tell us more about the themes of your work?
The themes of my work are generally experiential. Often based on anecdotes I have heard or things that have happened either to me or someone else. In a broader sense it has to have triggered a process of assessment against my thoughts on transgressive aspects  of social and cultural norms that I want to reveal.

Can you walk us through your creative process?
It usually involves something that activates my interest. This might be something that triggers a kernel of ideas that build up and become more and more difficult to ignore. It’s like an itch that cannot be overcome and it drives me further into resolving it by setting it down as a body of work. Dreams often come to me as a form of self-reflection that augments the realising process.

Are there specific advantages or challenges associated with working in your chosen mediums? Have you experimented with other mediums or techniques?
All mediums present some level of challenge; that challenge and creativity in your practice is what makes it a constant exploration. Choices of medium are often made in order to develop your practice. You may use several different types of medium from sketch materials all the way through to the finished piece and levels of skill and difficulty will be determined by familiarity, practice and technique.

Has your practice changed over time?
In some ways it has and in others it has continued to adhere to the same principles that motivated me in the first place. The changes are really just responses to current events and the ways that they can be inculcated into a schema that is concerning to me at the time.

What do you do to keep motivated and interested in your work?
Live!

Curses, Swears & Maledictions: Pictures of a Transgressive World runs at Six Foot Gallery until August 6th. Connect with Davardo on his Instagram @davardo_artist