David Studwell is a contemporary British artist and printmaker who studied at Central Saint Martins School of Art. With over 20 years of experience, Studwell draws upon the spirit of the 1960s and 70s, the cult of celebrity, and the enduring legacy of Andy Warhol to create striking, iconic screen prints.
Much of Studwell’s work revolves around the theme of celebrity. Working predominantly in screen printing, his practice is largely photographic-based, exploring the darker side of fame, nostalgia and Americana. Police mug shots of well-known stars capture them at their most vulnerable or defiant, while intimate moments - such as screen tests or private reflections - are transformed into bold, vividly coloured compositions that bring the past into sharp contemporary focus.
Studwell has exhibited widely in London, Germany and the Netherlands, and most recently in Italy, where he exhibited at the Florence Biennale. His work also examines the legacy of photography and technological advancement in the twentieth century, using modern techniques to add sophistication and dynamic layering to archival imagery.
Throughout his career, Studwell has collaborated with renowned photographers including Terry O'Neill, Scarlet Page and David Katz. In 2018, he collaborated with Elton John and Terry O’Neill to produce Home Run - Dodger Stadium - 1975, a multi-colour diamond dust screen print edition reworking O’Neill’s iconic photograph of Elton at the height of his fame. A selection of the prints were co-signed by Elton John, and the project received significant coverage in the UK press.
Studwell frequently incorporates diamond dust within his editions, enhancing the glamour and material presence of his subjects. His works have been collected by notable figures including Kate Moss, Sheryl Crow and Nile Rodgers.
“It’s the technology that enables me to bring those images from the bygone eras into the present.”