David Watson is an artist and former shipyard worker born in 1944 at Albion Street, South Bank near Middlesbrough, UK.[1] He attended Middlesbrough College where he studied art along with fellow South Bank artists Len Tabner and David Mulholland. At the age of nineteen earning a living became a priority and Watson went to work at Smiths Dock shipyard on the River Tees as a "red leader" painting the hulls of ships.[1] Watson continued with his art for decades although remained largely unknown until the Kirkleatham Museum in Redcar submitted images of his work to the BBC's "Your Painting" website (became Art UK).[2] In 2012 they were noticed by Mark Parham who now acts as Watson's curator.[1] In 2014 the National Football Museum in Manchester acquired Watson's "Matchday at Ayresome Park" (Middlesbrough FC).

David Watson
Born1944
South Bank, Middlesbrough
EducationMiddlesbrough College
OccupationArtist
WebsiteDavid Watson Official

Watson's work depicts industrial scenes of his native Teesside inspired by his recollections, some of the work is literal while others contain figures Watson describes as ghosts and relics of a time long since gone.[1]

Selected exhibitions edit

2020 - David Watson: Belonging (Solo Exhibition), Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough, UK[3][4]

2016/17 - Steel Flesh and Bone: The Industrial Paintings of David Watson (Solo Exhibition), Woodhorn Museum, Ashington, Northumberland, UK[5][6]

2016 - Cotton and Steel, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Salford, UK[7]

2016 - Teesside World Exposition of Art and Technology, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima), UK[8][9]

2014 - Beyond The Wilderness Road (Solo Exhibition), Constantine Gallery, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK[10]

2014 - Beyond The Wilderness Road (Solo Exhibition), McGuinness Gallery, Bishop Auckland, UK[11]

2012 - Land Sea and Air, Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, UK[12]

Collections edit

National Football Museum, Manchester. UK[1]

Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar. UK[13]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Leatherdale, Duncan (9 October 2014). "David Watson: Middlesbrough's forgotten artist found". BBC News. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  2. ^ "David Watson (b.1944) | Art UK". Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Exhibitions | Dorman Museum". Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Belonging Exhibition Preview Event". allevents.in. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Steel flesh and bone the industrial paintings of David Watson". www.experiencewoodhorn.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ Whetstone, David (4 December 2016). "Paintings of Teesside by a 'bit of a recluse' draw comparisons with pitmen painters". nechronicle. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Salford Museum & Art Gallery Host Industrial Art Exhibition". About Manchester. 4 July 2016. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  8. ^ "Teesside World Exposition of Art and Technology by Philip Boville, SAA". community.saa.co.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  9. ^ "Teesside World Exposition of Art and Technology - Exhibition at Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art - mima in Middlesbrough". ArtRabbit. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  10. ^ Quille, Mike (19 July 2014). "Morning Star". Morning Star. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Teesside industry focus of new exhibition". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  12. ^ Kirkleatham Museum (30 July 2017). "Land, Sea and Air - Paintings of David Watson". Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  13. ^ "Steelworks with Boats | Art UK". Retrieved 30 July 2017.

External links edit