Working mere millimetres from the drawing surface, Christchurch artist David Dawon Choi creates expansive, 3D-like artworks full of intricacy and with a touch of Dali-esque surrealism.
The award-winning artist works this way because he was born almost totally blind. Other times he uses magnifying technology such as cameras and TV screens to achieve the level of detail he is seeking.
That’s the back story to this remarkable artist but not the whole story. Because regardless of how he creates it, David’s art captures the beauty of nature, of Aotearoa’s flora and fauna, and such precious moments as a morning coffee or an afternoon in the sun.
David, who is also deaf, started drawing at the age of three in his native Korea to communicate his thoughts and emotions. After moving to New Zealand at the age of nine, he drew inspiration from the natural world around him and the Maori culture of his new country.
After graduating from the Van Asch Deaf Education Centre, David studied drawing with Min Kim and started exhibiting, with growing success. His work has been part of two Christchurch Art Shows and in 2021 he won the Ashburton Exhibition Premier Award.
To view David’s art, call in to Sollos at The Colombo, who have his work on display and for sale.