David Wiseman: bespoke floral artwork
Fantastical creations that climb walls and cover ceilings
Nature is brought indoors through the exuberant work of Los Angeles-based artisan, David Wiseman – a specialist in porcelain, ceramic and bronze decorative arts. His fantastical creations are “inspired by trees, blossoms, seeds, molecular bonds and mountainous forms”, he says, and his bespoke, twisting vines and branches that appear to climb walls and cover entire ceilings (from $150,000) have an international following.
“Every person has a different narrative,” says Wiseman, who works with individuals – as well as with corporate clients and leading architects – to sketch floral, unconstrained works of art to suit a variety of spaces, both large and intimate. From his earliest commissions for current Design Miami director Rodman Primack, to three boutique interiors created for Dior in concert with architect Peter Marino, Wiseman has carved a niche in floral and fauna formations (first picture) crafted from plaster, porcelain, bronze and resin.
“Some people know exactly what they want – an architectural feel or blossoming elements, for example – while others give me total creative carte blanche,” Wiseman says. He takes the design direction to his eight-person studio to create rubber moulds. Each intricate work of art – whether climbing wisteria for a four-storey New York City townhouse (third and fourth pictures); a canopy of hand-finished, porcelain cherry blossoms; or a wall of cascading lily-of-the-valley in one Shanghai shop – is comprised of a series of small, 4in pieces so that each can be assembled and later moved if necessary when possible. Some are installed on-site permanently and cannot be moved. From initial design to installation usually takes a year.
In addition to large-scale work, Wiseman also produces custom branch mirrors ($7,500-$95,000, second picture) and exquisite cherry blossom candlesticks with slip-cast porcelain blooms ($25,000) in his bronze foundry. Elaborate collage fireplace screens ($85,000), limited-edition Geode vases ($15,000), and one-of-a kind chandeliers (price on request) – such as the one that graces jeweller Jessica McCormack’s London boutique – round out the artist’s offerings.
“My dream commission is the entire interior,” explains Wiseman. “From the walls to the tables to candlesticks – right down to the custom woven silk carpets I am currently creating. My work is about abundance, curiosity and celebrating the wild world.”