David Willis

David Willis' artistic practise is primarily concerned with the physical act of painting, nurturing a self-expressionistic, gestural approach to making paintings. However Willis' work also evolves through other media including photography and sculpture; - it is solely beneficial that he recognises his practise as a body is characterised by a physical, non-precious relationship with the materials.

The content of his work explores the primitive instinct of the human id; manifesting its carnal impulse through the bestial and daemonic form of the rabbit. Through this notion of 'Rabbitness', instinctive human behaviour is interpreted by the sexual energy and self adulation of the rabbit-creatures that appear in his work. These incongruous rabbit-creatures are known as púka; a spirit beast or companion, with a mischievous but benign influence.

Absurdity and humour are rife as the viewer is taunted by the grating notion of 'Rabbitness', a sentiment which is well received by Willis’ natural empathy for the indiscreet and the immediate.

Like shadows traversing a wall, the rabbit is threatening yet benevolent; a wonderful emissary of insecurity. Their existence is intrusive to our sensibilities; the image of the rabbit overwhelming.