Interview
David Hathaway
David Hathaway, born in 1957 in the United States, is a contemporary painter renowned for his work in gestural abstraction. His artistic creations serve as a reflection of his subconscious thoughts at the time of their inception, capturing the spontaneity and emotion of the moment. Hathaway's paintings are characterized by expressive, dynamic brushstrokes that convey a sense of immediacy and raw emotion. His artistic journey began at Pratt Institute, where he majored in photography. He later graduated with honors, earning a BFA in Computer Arts and Design from Mercy University in 2012. Hathaway holds a standing membership at the highly regarded Pleiades Gallery in NYC.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I started my career in photography nearly 50 years ago. I majored in photography at Pratt Institute and worked in the technical side of photography for many years. Although I never graduated from Pratt, I made dye transfer prints for one of the best labs in NYC at the time. Meanwhile, I continued refining my photographic skills, mainly building a still-life portfolio. I was starting to gain traction as a freelancer when the recession of 1990 hit, causing me to sell all of my equipment and move to my mom's house in central NY. I did whatever work I could to make a living and eventually found a job as a retoucher using Photoshop. I moved back to the NYC area and became involved in retouching, 3D visualization, serious games, and motion graphics. I finally completed my bachelor’s degree, graduating from Mercy University with a BFA in computer arts. In the meantime, I rekindled my interest in photography as a fine art, developing my own style. However, when I showed my work to several galleries in the NYC area, the owners shunned me, saying that they didn't exhibit photographers. This made me feel like a second-class citizen. My wife, Eileen, urged me to try my hand at painting, and after that, I never looked back. She told me that my paintings made her feel happy.”
What inspires you?
“My own photographic style inspires me, and I use it as reference material for my paintings. I gravitate toward gesturial abstraction, and study the works of Geherd Richter, Jackson Pollack, Kikuo Saito, Katherine Grosse, among others. Since I am in very close proximity to NYC, I frequent the galleries in Chelsea and Tribeca often to study the trends.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I work in gestural abstraction. There's always an underlying theme, but I feel my subconscious emotions and feelings controls what evolves, as when I work, I build the art so fast that my subconscious mind takes over. Sometimes, I work so fast that I don't get a chance to examine what I create until it's finished.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would describe my work as either dreamlike, or violent and primordial. I don't have a conscious thought or a premeditated plan to create something. Most of the time when I work that way, the work becomes more convoluted and predictable. When that happens, I usually just scramble the painting; probably with a large pallet knife, but more likely with one of my ‘other’ tools, such as dog combs, tile trowels, or even barbecue scrapers. I'm very much of a texture junkie, as I never was able to create textures using photography, and that the use of textures as a compositional element in painting fascinated me.”
Which artists influence you most?
“As mentioned earlier, the artists who influence me are Gehard Richter, Kikuo Saito, Jackson Pollack, Katharina Grosse. There are undoubtedly countless others who fit into that category as well.”
“I would describe my work as either dreamlike, or violent and primordial.”
What is your creative process like?
“Acrylic paint serves as my primary medium on canvas, where I often augment its properties with thickening gels, modeling paste, or a blend of both. These additives allow me to manipulate texture, adding depth and dimension to my compositions. Rather than conventional brushes, I prefer a diverse array of household tools that include meat claws, tile trowels, asphalt rakes, dog combs, whisk brooms, and even barbecue scrapers. This unconventional choice of implements enables me to explore unconventional mark-making techniques, creating unique textures and patterns across the canvas. My creative process typically commences with the deliberate layering of colors using palette knives or trowels. As I build these layers, I employ my selected household tools to further manipulate the paint, seeking to achieve a harmonious interplay of textures and colors that unify the composition. To enhance the complexity of my work, I often allow the paint to partially dry before selectively removing sections to reveal underlying layers. This methodical approach not only adds visual depth but also introduces an element of spontaneity and rawness to the piece.
Additionally, scraping dried paint contributes a rugged, aggressive character that contrasts with smoother areas. Techniques such as throwing or splattering paint are integral to my process, introducing random yet controlled elements that contribute to the overall dynamic of the composition. These methods help me achieve a balanced asymmetry in both texture and color, ensuring each artwork has a distinctive visual impact. Central to my methodology is the deliberate pace at which I work. By pushing myself to act swiftly against my comfort zone, I strive to capture a sense of immediacy and freshness in each piece. This intentional approach allows my subconscious thoughts to influence the composition, infusing each artwork with a unique emotional resonance.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“In a technologically advanced society, the role of artists is to challenge, innovate, and humanize technology. Their abilities to create and express themselves in the digital realm is essential for fostering a deeper connection between technology and humanity. As we continue to advance, the need for artistic expression will only grow, highlighting the indispensable role of artists in shaping our digital future.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have had my work exhibited at Swiss Art Expo, Sept 2023, also at Nicoletta Gallery in Berlin in Nov 2023, also at Thompson Gallery in ZUG Switzerland in November 2023. I have exhibited at Art Expo NY 2024, and the CLIO show 2024 in Chelsea. I was part of Pleiades Gallery's 50th anniversary show, and currently have a one month solo show at Pleiades Gallery in NYC from July 9th to August 3rd.”
