ArtHouse: Future Art by Dave Sutton

ArtHouse: Future Art by Dave Sutton

When

6.10.22 - 29.10.22    
10:00 - 15:00

Where

ArtHouse Gallery
65 Eastbank Street, Southport, PR81EJ, Southport

Event Type

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Although he admits to being a ‘newbie’ to the art scene, Dave Sutton’s digital creations – ‘Future Art’ – have a visual impact and confidence that belies their origins.

Dave from Birkdale, who learned to write computer coding as a teenager and worked in IT before retirement, is an avid life-long learner: “I’ve been retired for a number of years. Over that period I’ve completed over 40 Open University short courses mostly covering science and the environment but also a course on programming for artists and a number on robotics”.

Dave’s innovative explorations have become a journey of personal discovery: “I chose the name ‘Future Art’ to reflect the fact that I am using transformational science and technology to create Digital Art. Although I use common Digital Design and Editing apps, I also use additional apps for Artificial Intelligence and Fractal Geometry, and write computer code to create graphics”.

Keen to explore how Art can be used to gain a greater understanding of Science and Technology, Dave wanted to show how Science can also be employed to produce Art: “The original concept came from investigations into the benefits of putting Art into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) to get STEAM. What was exciting for me was that in producing the art I could see science and nature at work”.

Despite the intricacies of fractal art, usually achieved through mathematical calculations, sounding extremely technical and un-artistic, these equations can generate some of the most dynamic and inspiring artwork to emerge within contemporary art.

Their mainstream acceptance as screensavers is testament to their universal appeal.

Dave’s mesmerizing abstract art follows in the footsteps of pioneers like Polish mathematician, Benoit Mandelbrot, who first coined the phrase ‘fractal’ in 1975 to describe his ever repeating pattern formations.

In the real world, fractals are seen in ferns, snowflakes, broccoli, shells and mathematical fractals can be specifically coded to replicate this natural phenomena.

“Fractal art is well known for producing beautiful images found in Nature. The apps I use are complicated and there is a relatively long learning curve, especially if you want to produce something useful. I have created a few pattern generators, using computer code. As I wanted to use the latest technology, I have used a new language p5.js (designed for robotics and art)”.

The aesthetic simplicity of Dave’s digital realisations, rendered using a striking colour palette, provides a mathematical beauty that is instantly captivating to both the digitally initiated and the creatively minded alike.

“I want to move away from the old traditional ideas of planning and move towards innovation. Innovation in the production of art and art driving innovation”.