Words Beth Seligmann Hook Kaufman
Art David Kaufman
Editing The Kanto team
After short departures to paint Spanish subjects, David Edward Carriedo Kaufman returns time and time again to Filipino street subjects, his first love. Kaufman is an American-Filipino artist. He grew up in the Philippines and studied at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde before doing his postgraduate work at Keble College in Oxford. He is the founder and president of Kaufman Stone, a leading natural stone supplier in the Philippines.
His latest solo painting exhibit, Naked Streets, aims to tell the story of Filipino struggles. The artist tries to capture his subjects’ spirit with every sympathetic stroke, a reflection of how he puts his heart into his art. There is pathos in the marked contrast between the often brilliant colors seen in the streets, and the sadness and painful reality of the lives he encounters.
The connection with his subjects may be fleeting, but it produces a deeply powerful, emotional, and even spiritual bond. Such empathy brings forth a cacophony of explosive and inexplicable emotions. With his work expressed in its rawest form, the unedited pieces may seem simplistic at first glance but are intricate upon closer examination. A kaleidoscope of colors pops out in powerful strokes, allowing a portrait to emerge.
Kaufman’s paintings involve layer upon layer applied with deliberate motions. During the creation of these pieces, there is almost a cognitive detachment expressed through many forms of mixed media. Nothing is excluded. The artist uses not only his hands but his entire body to complete each artwork. From the detailed and delicate brush strokes to the pouring and splatter methods, Kaufman produces energetic and powerful effects that stem from his mind’s eye.
By creating a performance in paint and expressing himself through pigment, the artist captures and creates images at an emotional level on a higher mental plane. This year, Kaufman also made use of artists’ acrylic paint for a prolific work in his Madrid studio. He also created a photo essay in a series of 204 portraits depicting subjects that were photographed with permission.
Two recent limited exhibitions of Kaufman’s paintings were held at the 6th Ortigas Art Festival 2023 at the Estancia in July, and “Tagubtob” in September to October at the Vista Mall in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. With four more confirmed Philippine shows until December 2023, Kaufman proves that while he may have only recently arrived at the scene, he is definitely here to stay. •
Naked Streets opened last November 12 and will be on display at the Super Duper Gallery in Quezon City until December 6, 2023.
