David Ireland (artist)

David Kenneth Ireland (August 25, 1930 – May 17, 2009) was an American sculptor, conceptual artist and Minimalist architect.[1][2]

David Ireland
Born
David Kenneth Ireland, Jr.

(1930-08-25)August 25, 1930
DiedMay 17, 2009(2009-05-17) (aged 78)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
EducationWestern Washington University,
California College of Arts and Crafts,
San Francisco Art Institute,
Laney College
Known forSculpture, Installation art
AwardsN.E.A. Artist Fellowship grant,
Adaline Kent Award,
The Engelhard Award,
American Academy of Art, Rome

Early life

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Born in Bellingham, Washington. He studied Printmaking and Industrial Arts at California College of Arts and Crafts (CCA), graduating in 1953 with his BFA degree.[3] After college he attended United States Army service. After leaving the Army Ireland traveled Europe extensively, working as an illustrator, and eventually traveled to Africa to lead safari trips.[4]

Work

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It was not until his 40s that Ireland decided to dedicate himself to work as a full-time artist. He returned to the United States and returned to school, this time at the San Francisco Art Institute. Upon graduating from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1974,[5] Ireland spent a year working in New York, before returning to settle in San Francisco.[6]

 
Upstairs hallway at 500 Capp St., with treated walls and other sculptural installations

In 1975, Ireland purchased a victorian house built in 1886[7][8] from Paul John Greub, an accordion maker, for $50,000.[9] The house is located at 500 Capp Street (20th Street and Capp Street) in the Mission District of San Francisco.[2][9]

In 1979, Ireland purchased another house at 65 Capp Street, which he transformed thoroughly. The house was purchased by art collector by Ann Hatch in 1982 and later used as an artist residency named Capp Street Project.[2]

In 1987, Ireland won the Adaline Kent award from San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI).[10]

 
"The safe gets away for the second time", part of 500 Capp St.

Ireland is most well known for creating site-specific installation art pieces; most notably, his former residence at 500 Capp Street[11] in San Francisco, where his work is also shown at Gallery Paule Anglim. Moving between two and three dimensions within the same sculptures, Ireland explores concepts of scale and vision.[12] Known for his wide range of materials, works are made from paint cans, phone books, metal, cement, wood and, even the skull of a water buffalo.

In 1999, Ireland collaborated with sound artist GX Jupitter-Larsen remixing and re-recording tapes from the audio archives of 500 Capp Street. The outcome was released as a CD on Vinyl Communications.[13]

To accompany Ireland's first solo exhibition in London, Ridinghouse published David Ireland: Sculptures, Paintings, Drawings. This catalogue features a selection of Ireland's works from over four decades. An introduction to the work of this artist, this publication also includes an essay by Kenneth Baker, art critic of the San Francisco Chronicle.

One of his most prominent works Angel-Go-Round (1996) is in the permanent collection of di Rosa, Napa.[14]

In early 2016, the San Francisco Art Institute organized an exhibition of Ireland's work, in conjunction with the public opening of 500 Capp Street,[5][15] now known as The David Ireland House.[16]

Legacy

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David Ireland’s house at 500 Capp Street was purchased by art collector Carlie Wilmans in 2008.[17] Wilmans established the 500 Capp Street Foundation the same year to preserve and study his work.[18] The house was restored in 2016 and turned into an exhibition venue named The David Ireland House.[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Baker, Kenneth (21 May 2009). "Bay Area conceptual artist David Ireland dies". SFGATE. Hearst Communications, Inc. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Baker, Kenneth (2009-05-21). "Bay Area conceptual artist David Ireland dies". San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  3. ^ "Abby Wasserman: Published Article on David Ireland". www.abbywasserman.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
  4. ^ "Biography – 500 Capp Street". Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  5. ^ a b "David Ireland - Exhibitions". SFAI. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
  6. ^ "Biography – 500 Capp Street". Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  7. ^ "David Ireland's Mission District Home Opens as a Museum". Curbed SF. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
  8. ^ Gross, Jennifer; T, Karen (2003). The Art of David Ireland: The Way Things are. Berkeley, California: University of California Press. pp. 193. ISBN 9780520240469.
  9. ^ a b "David Ireland's Cabinet of Curiosities Opens its Mission District Doors". KQED Arts. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
  10. ^ "David Ireland, gallery as place : Adaline Kent Award exhibition : an installation". searchworks.stanford.edu. San Francisco Art Institute. 1987. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
  11. ^ Riess, Suzanne B. (2001-01-01). "David Ireland, Inside 500 Capp Street: An Oral History of David Ireland's House" (PDF). Regional Oral History Office, the Bancroft Library. The Regents of the University of California. Retrieved 2015-01-15.
  12. ^ "Biography – 500 Capp Street". Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  13. ^ "David Ireland (2) And GX Jupitter-Larsen - David Ireland And GX Jupitter-Larsen". Discogs. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
  14. ^ "Di Rosa acquires Ireland's 'Angel-Go-Round' | Lifestyles | napavalleyregister.com".
  15. ^ Kate, Sutton (2016-05-24). "Diary – Kate Sutton on the new SF MoMA and this year's Open Engagement". Artforum. ISSN 0004-3532. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  16. ^ a b "News – Following Restructuring, David Ireland's House at 500 Capp Street Reopens". Artforum. 2020-02-27. ISSN 0004-3532. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  17. ^ Baker, Kenneth (2008-08-16). "Art collector buys David Ireland's house". San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  18. ^ Winn, Steven (2016-01-06). "For conceptualist David Ireland, home is where the art is". San Francisco Chronicle. ISSN 1932-8672. Retrieved 2020-12-20.

Further reading

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