David Holt
Biography
London-based photographer who looks the funny and sweet that's available on the street.
After focussing on music during my 20's, I moved into photography in my 30's, as a creative outlet to replace the music I no longer made. What started out as fun turned into an obsession.
This year I have a showing at Brick Lane Gallery and plan to release 2 books of street photography, about London and Budapest.
What’s your background?
I grew up just outside North London, before moving to Leeds for several years until moving back down into London in 2012. I played in bands and did a Music Tech degree while in Leeds and pursued this until I was 30. The band I was in ended and I lost the love for playing music, now it was back to playing on my own in my room again, so I bought a little Canon to play with and it took over my life very quickly.
What does it mean to you to win the Collectors Art Prize?
It has elevated my imposter syndrome to new levels.
What do you think is the role of art in the world today?
To me, arts role is to act as a running commentary or to document certain times. Photography is often more literal than abstract in that sense and especially what I do. I love seeing old photos from the streets and I hope one day people will look at mine the same way.
What would it be if you could change one thing about the art world?
I wish it was less pretentious.
What are your most significant professional achievements?
To be honest, I don't think I've achieved much yet, but the last couple of years have started to feel like progression in both recognition and my actual output. Things like this spur me on. I'll have some work up for a couple weeks at Brick Lane Gallery 1-14 August, which I'm excited about. I'm hoping to have a little book ready for this too.
What do you wish to tell viewers about your work that might not come out explicitly? What do you hope to inspire with your artwork?
Bill Hicks used to talk about how the media will throw nothing but negative, 'war, death and famine' news at you, yet when we look out our window we just hear crickets. Photography is my own escape from everything bad going on in the world or my life, and I always hope my silly photos act like people's white noise from the world the same way it does for me. As somebody who's thought to be a little negative, my photography is my outlet of positivity.
What advice would you give to the upcoming generation of artists?
Put the time in, surround yourself with people from all walks of life and across the political spectrum, don't expect to live off of your artwork.
In what direction would you like to see your career go in the next five years?
One that pays the bills? Jokes aside, I'd like to be spending a month in a different city a few times a year and then releasing a book for each of these.
Country United Kingdom
