COOPERSTOWN — Artist David Wilson will informally discuss his constructions in the show, “Artists Obsessed,” at 4 p.m. June 10 at the Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, Cooperstown.
According to a news release, Wilson of South New Berlin has a decades long career producing large-scale architectural glass projects throughout the country – courthouses, religious buildings, college campuses, even metro stations. In “Artists Obsessed,” he shares a totally different and new body of studio work: more than a half-dozen quirky ‘vehicular’ sculptures — catafalques, dragsters and more, with attitude. All are on wheels and most depict his personal response to the current state of the world. He incorporates found objects, raised-letter messaging and commercially-acquired memorabilia to striking effect. Several are wired with toggle switches that, when flipped, activate sound and action and create multimedia dramatic dioramas. He will demonstrate some of these at his program.
Wilson, glass artist and designer, was born in Yorkshire, England. He graduated from Middlesbrough College of Art with a National Diploma in Design, attended Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, then moved to New York City to work for a family business, Rambusch Decorating Company, as a designer in the stained glass department. He provided space planning, interior and sanctuary furnishing design, mural design and architectural model building. In 1975 he became head of the Rambusch stained glass studio prior to moving upstate and establishing David Wilson Design. Later, with his son and Walter Riesen as partners, he established the busy WRW Studio in Charlotteville. Following the 2008 recession, the studio closed. However, he continues to design projects. His son, artist Trevor Wilson, takes on all fabrication. Recent projects were in Wisconsin and Ohio. They are currently in dialogue with New York City regarding the restoration of 15’ high Wilson stained glass windows for a Staten Island public library. Wilson’s designs are in the permanent collection of the Juliette K. and Leonard S. Rakow Library, The Corning Museum of Glass research library. His models are in the permanent collection of the Chenango County Historical Association.
The talk is the first of three connected with the exhibition, which also features art by Nancy Callahan, Gilbertsville, Todd Bachman, North Pitcher and the late Lavern Kelley, a nationally-recognized farmer folk artist. Callahan will speak at 4 p.m. June 17 and Bachman will be the artist-in-residence from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 20. Reservations are recommended, not required: leartgarage@gmail.com, text 315-941-9607 or call 607-547-5327