Pioneering New York artist David Stesner creates visually stunning, deeply personal images in response to the emotions which characterise the human experience. A combination of classicism, surrealism and urban chic, his most recent work is focused on the symbolic beauty of butterflies, set against a highly stylised, and often branded, backdrop. Each piece is presented as a photograph on archival metallic paper under acrylic, which gives it a radiant intensity and clarity, and makes a unique impact in any setting.
The collection, entitled The Butterfly Project, was originally inspired by two major events in David’s own life, one joyful, one tragic. He has photographed many of the world’s most exotic butterflies and used their qualities - iridescence, symmetry, transience - as a means through which to reflect on his own emotions, relationships and actions, and to explore the ways in which our own experiences of the world change us.
In this context David’s addition of luxury brand logos into the background of several of these images is unexpected, but they are an important element in the style and impact of the work. Fashion and its accompanying design and branding is an art form in itself and can be represented in many different ways to convey a range of messages to a contemporary audience. “With this project, I wanted to go more urban and pop, with a little whimsy and grit to amplify the cool factor,” he explains. “Brands today, especially in luxury, are intermixing culture, art and commerce, and I think this project illustrates that integration on a visual level."
Born and raised in New Jersey, David is now based in New York City. After graduating from University of the Arts in Philadelphia with an MFA, he went on to assist photographers including Albert Watson, Steve Hiett and Michael Thompson. He became highly sought after for both his beauty and still life photography, working with publications such as Allure, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, French Glamour and French Elle before he began to exhibit his photography as stand-alone works of fine art. Acknowledged as a master of painting, embossing, photography and digital manipulation, he has been the subject of successful exhibitions and garnered acclaim around the world.
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