Who is that? What did they do? Where are they? Is this real or fantasy?
David Denniston’s artwork begs questions. His paintings capture people in mysterious dream-like scenarios- a dichotomy between science and mysticism (fact and fiction). His goal is to strike a connection of curiosity with the viewer. Denniston refers to his paintings as “human still lifes”. They are storytelling to an extent but even more so, story questioning.
Dennistons paintings consist of preplanned compositions and ideas that can originate from anywhere or anything- real life situations, a memory, an exchange, a dream, or a movie. Inspiration and ideas can originate from any of these. “I’ve always been better at showing than telling” states Denniston. His ideas are thoughtfully set up in still life fashion, with friends, family and acquaintances, documented, then painted. These luminous large scale figurative paintings envelop the viewer and make them feel a part of the work and situation.
David Denniston was raised in the Detroit area. He relocated to Columbus Ohio to attend The Columbus College of Art & Design where he received his BFA in 1991. Denniston currently works out of his studio located at 400 West Rich Street. His work has been shown throughout galleries primarily in the Midwest. He has also had work shown at The CMA, The Zanesville Museum, and The Medici Museum of Art. He recently received “BEST IN SHOW” at the 2023 Biennial Juried Exhibition at the Ohio Arts Council’s Ohio Riffe Gallery for his “Welcome to Ice Cream Land” painting. Currently Denniston is working on a new body of work for a solo exhibition at the Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center in 2027.