David Watson

High Tide

17th January- 14th February 2026

Opening event: Saturday 17th Jan 4-6 pm

When the tide is up it feels like the confusion of the shore line has been tidied away and order restored. If only for a while. This work is my attempt to bring order to a busy mind in an increasingly noisy world.

Materials: Concrete, oak, Plywood, silicone and stolen lead

Biography

David Watson is a contemporary conceptual artist based in Greenock, Scotland. Born in Northampton in 1983 and raised in rural England, Watson moved to Scotland at 17 where he served an apprenticeship at a well-known Edinburgh cabinetmakers. This formative experience instilled in Watson a meticulous attention to detail and focus on form and its relation to the space it inhabits. Over the following two decades, he worked across various trades, refining his skills, knowledge of materials and construction, which now define his artistic practice today.

Artistic Practice

Watson's work is characterized by clean lines, geometric forms, and a restrained colour palette. Primarily working with wood, metal, and stone, he explores the relationship between materiality, space, and structure. His minimalist aesthetic reflects a process of reduction, distilling complex ideas into simple yet profound expressions. His sculptures and installations often engage with themes of time, presence, and meditative simplicity, evoking a sense of calm and introspection.

Influences and Style

Watson's practice is influenced by key figures in minimalism and conceptual art, including Donald Judd, Chris Burden and Richard Rigg. His work aligns with the ethos of minimalism—where form and function are inextricably linked—and draws on industrial aesthetics, embracing raw materials and precision in execution.

Studio and Community Engagement

Watson is deeply embedded in the artistic community of Greenock, Scotland, where his workshop and studio overlook the River Clyde. This space serves as both a creative hub and a gathering place for local artists and art enthusiasts. His commitment to fostering artistic exchange and dialogue within his community which continues to shape and inspire his evolving practice.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Watson has exhibited his work in galleries across Scotland. His minimalist approach and conceptual rigor have earned him recognition within contemporary art circles, with critics drawing comparisons to leading figures in the minimalist movement. His ambition is to further establish himself as a leading voice in contemporary conceptual and minimalist art.

The view over The Clyde from George Wyllie's garden