What's your name?: David Petersen
Where are you from originally and where are you now?: Cardiff.
St Clears.
What medium / media do you work in?: Sculpture in most materials, mainly metals.
Drawing and painting in most media.
How would you describe your work?
Fine art and fine craft made as well as I can make it. The craft of art and the art of craft are important to me and I try to make everything as well as it can be made.
I value skill in art and craft and take as long as is required to complete a work. No piece leaves my studios until I am happy with the result.
What are your influences and inspirations? Many and various. Nature plays a big part, as does my own history. Wales and the Celts, their philosophy and contact and understanding of the natural environment. Past artists and craftsmakers have a profound effect on my work. I am interested in the ambiguity of objects and the different meanings of things. I attempt to instill my work with many layers of meaning. This was how the Celts made their objects and I try to follow their example but in a contemporary manner.
Which piece are you most proud of and why? The Amroth Curragh. (2003). 143 x 66 x140 in forged metal. Inspired by the Gold Boat, 1st Century BC. from the Broither Hord, Co.Derry, Ireland. I almost suceeded in achieving the above. The original is in fine gold leaf and is only 5" long; mine is in 1/2" plate and is rivetted together. Both have the same number of oars etc, mine is covered in bright 'golden' rust.
Have you had any exhibitions - if so, where? Do you have any planned in the future? Maybe more than 300, but the last major show was in St David's Cathedral in 2006 called: 'Gweddnewidiad/Transmogrification'. Sculpture, paintings and drawings, films made by and on me were shown as well. Yes, the next one is in Ironbridge in July 2007.
Please give a brief description of one or two of the projects you've worked on recently. I am currently working on a sculpture for Pembroke of The Welsh Princess, Nest. This has entailed me working with several schools and societies in Pembroke and giving lectures about the work. A large exhibition of some of this project was shown, recently in Pembroke Town Hall. (June 2007.)
What are your views on the current arts scene nationally and in South Wales? Scandalous. The main arts agencies in Wales are run by people who have no idea of Wales and Welsh art, but are determined to 'make their name' in league with uninformed bureaucrats who decide who gets what at "the pig trough" and grantfarmers queue up for handouts. Wales deserves better than this.
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