DAVID WILSON - BIO

Born and raised in West Virginia, NC artist, David Wilson has had a strong interest in the arts since early childhood. Throughout his early training, Wilson maintained sufficient artistic focus to investigate African American artist of the past. He spent many hours after school delving into the county library’s stacks on the Harlem Renaissance and Mexican Muralists. There he found artists such as Charles White, Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Diego Rivera and Jacob Lawrence-these masters would open Wilson’s eyes to a whole new level of black creativity.
This newfound passion carried him to Hampton University where he was afforded the valuable opportunity to study under prolific artist/muralist, John Biggers. Under Biggers, Wilson discovered a deeper connection with his rich black art heritage and began developing a new way of expressing his experiences as a black artist. His work took on bolder, brighter colors and greater emphasis on the human form was evident. His use of line became more fluid as he pulled on his own personal experiences with family, music and culture to create magnificent expressions of the soul experience.

Since obtaining his degree from Hampton, Wilson has exhibited at notable galleries and venues in Atlanta, New York and Washington, DC. He was contracted by ESSENCE magazine to reproduce limited edition reproductions of his original works and invited by the US ARMY to serve as Artist in Residence in Germany during a Black History Month observance. In addition to his fine art and educational achievements, Wilson has gained attention as a public artist, creating several murals throughout the state. His crowning achievements ia “Diverget Threads,Lucent Memories,” a 500square foot glass mural for the Harvey B.Gantt for African American Arts+Culture in Charlotte.
Wilson’s works rest in the notable private and celebrity collections of Actors, Ossie Davis and Hill Harper, Actresses Ruby Dee, Phylicia Rashaad and Debbie Allen, as well as sports icons, Baron Davis(Los Angeles Clippers) and ESPN anchor, Stuart Scott.