D!VE is an Irish visual artist. Originally from Cork, he studied Graphic Design at the Limerick School of Art & Design. In pursuit of further artistic development, he traveled to Berlin where he used his skills in visual communications combined with a passion for screen print to develop his practice as a printmaker and a creator. His artistic journey began as a teenager, where he became heavily influenced by street art culture. Originally drawn in by the “lawlessness” it somewhat promoted, he stayed for the “creative outlet…and the smell of the paint”.
D!VE’s artistic practice focuses on creating snapshots of moments that never happened. Visualising objects disassembling in zero gravity, the artist creates highly detailed images outside the limitations of traditional composition, revealing components and structures that would be otherwise hidden depending on the angle. This concept is fuelled by Picasso’s words; “Every act of creation begins as an act of destruction”.
His work could be described as Destruction, deconstructed. D!VE’s focus on shattering historical statues is derived from the notion that these figures represent societies at their cultural peak. Great Roman and Greek philosophers, and warriors and Gods frozen in time emphasise the power of humanity. “The fractured statues represent today’s fractured society,” says the artist. He continues; “A divided world of people contrasting from far right to far left, where peoples unwavering belief in the most outlandish conspiracy theories would make the most rational thinker question their sanity, where having all of the worlds information at our fingertips made us vacuous.”
D!VE’s work predominantly involves the use of stencils. The work involved in creating these stencils and applying them to the walls involves several disciplines that come together to create a unique artistic practice, allowing him to install highly detailed stencils on large scale surfaces without spending a fortune. “My love for the stencil medium comes from the notion of ‘Doing the best with what you have’,” comments the artist. The limitation of just paper and a craft knife inspire D!VE to push the medium as far as possible, by using images of shattering statues covered in graffiti. First, 3D software is used to visualise the graffiti elements on the statues and to create a rough reference image for the following step; illustration and collage. The detailed illustration is then scaled up digitally to the measurements of the desired wall, then separated into hypothetical A1 sheet segments. These segments are then screen printed by hand on 300gsm card, and then finally the screen printed shapes are meticulously cut out by hand with a craft knife. The separate A1 stencils come together on the wall to allow the image to retain consistent detail.
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