Drawing on Strength: Alnwick artist showcases landscapes and life
New exhibition from artist who has met the most testing of challenges. Tony Henderson reports
An artist who has overcome adversity posed by health setbacks and exploring some of the world’s wild places is staging an exhibition on landscapes he loves.
The event at Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery in Alnwick from May 13 to July 13 features the work of David Wilson, who is based in the town.
He studied at the universities of Manchester and Durham before teaching art in 1983 for a year. After completing mountaineering qualifications in 1986, he participated in mountaineering exhibitions, often in remote parts of the world.
David went on to exhibit across the UK and internationally. His new exhibition highlights the beauty of two contrasting landscapes - the north west Highlands of Scotland and Northumberland.
He said: “The Northwest Highlands landscape is quite different from Northumberland. No less wild in places but the light is different. Northumberland for me is marked by its big skies, dramatic coastline, and strong colours.”
The Changing Landscapes exhibition also reflects David’s remarkable journey through ill health and adversity.
After making a full recovery from rectal cancer, he continued his travels.
But in 2018 a mountain biking epic trip from Canada to Mexico was cut short by the need for spinal surgery and a diagnosis of myeloma, a blood cancer. After intensive treatment and a stem cell transplant, David stepped back into his landscape adventures.
Towards the end of last year, he received a diagnosis of a leukaemia and then suffered a stroke in January.
He is proud to include in the exhibition work he has produced while still recovering from the effects of the stroke.
Visitors will have the opportunity to contribute towards a large-scale, interactive landscape drawing. Children will be given the freedom to colour images and draw features on to the landscape making their personal contribution to the work alongside those of previous visitors.
Once completed, the landscape will become part of the exhibition and another will begin.
Jean Humphrys, chair at Bailiffgate said: “David’s story is as inspirational as his work. He captures the light and beauty of these two quite different landscapes so well.
“He draws the audience into a very personal exploration of the places and challenges that have inspired his superb work.”