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General Description of Work: David Dahlquist is a storyteller who works in clay. His work is an implicit and explicit narrative that enables the viewer to understand and remember ideas, emotions and myths that reach across human communities. Through the preservation and transmission of images, David's public art work excels in communicating with a broad audience. He uses clay, steel, wood and other materials to develop contemporary images based upon history and research of a site or subject. He collaborates with other artists, architects and design professionals to create components for unique applications in homes, commercial buildings, the landscape, public art and architectural restoration.
David established RDG Planning & Design Dahlquist Art Studio, a design and fabrication ceramic studio, to create work ranging from tile work, sculpture and pottery to major large-scale architectural commissions. A color brochure detailing projects and the work of the studio is available upon request.
Bio: David received his BA degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his MFA degree from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University.
Services Offered 1: 1) The Clay Story (education) - This workshop includes hands-on demonstrations to construct large-scale thrown and hand-built vessels or figures made of clay. David's slide presentations survey the history of clay based on the maker as storyteller. The use of claywork in architecture is highlighted to understand the relationships of cultures.
2) Art and Design (consultant) - David offers design consultation and collaborative services with other artists, architects, contractors and design professionals. He assists those using clay and other materials to fabricate unique, visual images in buildings, residences, the landscape and public spaces. He also works with others in the analysis of site selection, placement and installation of art works.
3) Ceramic Artist/Designer (education) - David works on tile design and creation, custom installations and limited production runs. He creates custom pieces for applications both functional (floor and wall) as well as ornamental building details. He also produces commemoratives, ceramic signage and integrated elements.
4) Public Art - During the past ten years David has completed, on time and within budget, over a dozen major public art commissions. He has worked with Andrew Leicester and other artists, architects and designers in a collaborative process on a number of large-scale installations. These projects have included both private and public architectural spaces and landscape. He has gained significant experience in using research and documentation techniques to conceptualize and create, transforming history or subject matter into visual imagery and design. As an object maker David looks for ways to integrate claywork or other materials throughout the process, whether in structural, ornamental or contemporary images. David believes that this comprehensive approach to the development of a project is the best way to sew together the elements of meaning or iconography. These elements, combined with the viewer's interpretation or understanding, create a relevant work for the user, the site and the given audience. For David, the artist and the people who live and work in the space must share a story.
