3:33 Art Projects - David Griggs

In this edition of “Living With Art”, 3:33 Art Projects speaks with David Griggs whose anarchistic approach took on new life in lockdown. His unique blend of portraiture, political imagery and vernacular motifs explore the darker side of the human condition and are often the result of a collaborative spirit, interested in cultures beyond his experience and the personal stories within them. As such it was fortifying to hear that isolation hasn’t dulled his interest in society, its light and shade.

Griggs is celebrated in Australia, his exhibition ‘BETWEEN NATURE AND SIN’ is touring NSW after originating at Campbelltown Arts Centre along with a monograph of the same title. He has an extensive international exhibition history in South East Asia and Europe, recently the artist was commissioned to create two 8.4 metre long paintings for Palais de Tokyo, Paris.  3:33 Art Projects held a survey show of Griggs’ recent work earlier this year as part of our ongoing mission to present leading Australian artists in unique spaces to new audiences with The Clayton Utz Art Partnership. ​

You recently exhibited with 3:33 Art Projects and Clayton Utz, what is unique about the collaboration?  
Germanos, being an avid supporter of artists and their works, who knows his stuff made the collaboration with 3:33 Art Projects a very easy experience for me. With his curatorship mixed in with a stunning architectural space like the Clayton Utz building and a new audience to view the works it all felt calm and like something new.

In the past your work has been influenced by your time in the Philippines, what inspires you in Australia?
To be honest when I moved back to Sydney two years ago I felt completely at a loss creatively. The adjustment period took me about 12 months. Finally I found my groove and was able to paint and have something to say. I think a lot of my early struggles in returning to Australia was due to the shock that coffee shops shut at 3:30pm. To feel motivated I hid myself away by reading and reading. Then reconnecting with my skateboarding community here. Now the beautiful absurdity of life in Australia creeps into my works. People inspire me most, picking up on good energies from like-minded passionate people is something I feed off.