Capturing Motion in Stillness: David Spriggs' Layered Installations

Episode 19

10/15/20242 min read

In this episode, we sit down with internationally renowned artist David Spriggs to explore his unique approach to installation art through the use of layered transparent sheets. David shares his career path from early artistic experiments in England and Canada, to his education at prestigious institutions like Central Saint Martins. Key learning moments include:

  • Insights into David’s technique of transparent layering to create spatial, multidimensional works that transform with audience interaction.

  • Reflections on his upbringing and how his family has influenced his career.

  • A deep dive into his notable projects and how context, time, and space shape his installations.

  • The logistical challenges of creating and transporting large-scale installations, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdowns.


This episode provides a compelling look at how transparency, space, and viewer perception play a pivotal role in David Spriggs’ work, offering valuable insights for artists, curators, and contemporary art enthusiasts alike.

David Spriggs is based on Vancouver Island, Canada. You can find out more about his work on his website https://davidspriggs.art and on his Instagram @david_spriggs https://www.instagram.com/david_spriggs/



03:03 Family influence and becoming an artist
06:09 Academic Pursuits and Global Experiences
07:15 Discovering his innovative installation technique
13:06 The Role of Context and Audience in Art
32:07 Reflecting on the impact of COVID-19
33:37 Creating the First Wave installation
40:37 The importance of scale and color
52:26 Lighting vs transparency
55:24 Dream projects and future aspirations

Also mentioned in this episode:

Emily Carr University in Vancouver: https://www.ecuad.ca | https://www.instagram.com/emilycarru/
Central Saint Martins: https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/central-saint-martins | https://www.instagram.com/csm_news/
Concordia University: https://www.concordia.ca/ | https://www.instagram.com/concordiauniversity/
Bauhaus University: https://www.uni-weimar.de/en/university/start/ | https://www.instagram.com/bauhaus_uni/
Sharjah Biennial: https://sharjahart.org/ | https://www.instagram.com/sharjahart/
Messums Whiltshire: https://www.messums.org/ | https://www.instagram.com/messumswest
The New York Stock Exchange Pediment: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Stock_Exchange_Building
Pittura infamante: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittura_infamante
Caspar David Friedrich: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspar_David_Friedrich
Gestalt psychology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestalt_psychology
Oku-Noto Triennale: https://www.oku-noto.jp/ja/index_en.html | https://www.instagram.com/okunotojp/
Great Wave by Hokusai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Wave_off_Kanagawa
Ian Spriggs: https://ianspriggs.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/ianspriggs/
Noor Ryadh: https://riyadhart.sa/en/noor-riyadh/ | https://instagram.com/noorriyadhfestival

🔨🗣️ Join the conversation in our Linkedin group The Installation Art Society, a space for conversations about installation art and a platform for practitioners to share insights, discuss technical aspects, and exchange behind-the-scenes stories:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14532340/

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