Art Talk: David Brookton
Art as fashion has never been as wearable as it is with local artist David Brookton’s pieces. We sat down with him to get the dirty on how he blends style and photography to create a piece of art that you can put in the washing machine. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving until your friend steals it.
First off, how would you describe your artwork to someone who can’t see it?
Wearable photographs of nature printed all-over onto
silky fabrics that are then sewn into garments.
Let us get this straight, can you wear the t-shirt that’s in the artwork?
Yes, my designs are wearable as functional fashion. The
fabric is among the softest I’ve ever found.
Where did you get the mad idea to print on shirts on canvas?
I wanted to compare how prints on a shirt and canvas
differed, and came to find they’re hardly
distinguishable.
How exactly do you make the pieces?
The process is called sublimation. It requires very
large printers, heat presses and lots of patience.
Most of your images are nature or cityscapes, why the contrasting subject matters?
The city and the backcountry have both always inspired
me. I need both to feel balanced. I’ve been contrasting
the two in my work to better understand the similarities
and differences between the two.
Is this an expression of art or fashion?
I follow contemporary art and fashion quite closely and
find myself drawn to designers like Riccardo Tisci for
Givenchy who prints paintings onto shirts; ultimately
it’s left to the viewer to decide.
Where do you see this concept taking you?
Hopefully creating further collections, hopefully it
leads to collaborations with outdoor active-wear brands
because I’d enjoy seeing my designs on clothing that
also function within the environments my photos capture.
You just graduated, what will you do now that you have to get a real job?
I’m moving to California in a few weeks with a full time
day job lined up working for a tech company, though I
hope to eventually own a studio to continue my work.
Do chicks dig guys who wear their own artwork?
Being able to wear my own art work is definitely
gratifying, though I hope to find out the answer to that
question one day.
What’s the craziest thing someone has said about your artwork?
I have yet to hear anything outlandish about it to be
honest.
How do your parent’s describe your hobby to their friends?
My mom collects fine art so I’ve gotten to network with
a few of her friends. She describes me as an artist or
photographer.