David McLeod’s art is the ultimate exploration of texture and form. We see squishy, swooping shapes flipping across the frame – some look fragile, others are sturdy and incredibly detailed, even the tiniest hairs are distinguishable.
They seem so real, they make you want to reach out and touch them as they bounce and bump around, driven by some invisible magnetic force.
However, despite seeming so familiar, David makes these mesmerizing wobbly worlds completely in the digital space, using a mixture of software; mostly Cinema 4D, but also Real Flow and Houdini.
We are not the only ones attracted to his work; it has caught the attention of big clients like Motorola, Calvin Klein and Canon and David’s Instagram counts over 250,000 loyal followers. David thinks his images are so alluring because, “there’s just a slight disconnect with simulated materials, where the viewer can find them familiar, yet a little alien at the same time.”
Originally from a small coastal town in Australia and now living in New York, the artist explores how to recreate even the finest textures and forms. When working, he simply jumps in and lets the process take over. “After some time I can define a theme or visual approach which forms into something more than an experiment. The pushing off point usually begins with some type of interest in a production technique.”
Although most of his art is quite vibrant and dynamic, David’s latest images seem less bright and feature less textures. He explains this shift by a recent trip to Hawaii. “There was a such a variety and contrast in the shapes in the volcanic rock formations I saw there. I think it has started to make its way into my personal work,” he admits.
David’s subjects touch on an innate human desire to recreate the things around us; an urge to see how well we can make sense of the world by drawing, copying and capturing life. As I catch myself watching his hypnotizing imagery for ten minutes straight, David has clearly mastered this skill incredibly well.