David Ireland

Who was David Ireland?

David Kenneth Ireland was an American artist and co-founder of the Capp Street Project artist residency.

Born in Bellingham, Washington, he studied Printmaking and Industrial Arts at California College of Arts and Crafts, prior to joining the Army in the early 1950s. After leaving the Army Ireland traveled Europe extensively, working as an illustrator, and eventually traveled to Africa to lead safaris. It was not until his 40s that Ireland decided to dedicate himself to work as a full-time artist. He returned to the United States and returned to school, this time at the San Francisco Art Institute. Upon graduating from the San Francisco Art Institute Ireland spent a year working in New York, before returning to settle in San Francisco.

Ireland is most well known for creating site-specific installation art pieces; most notably, his former residence at 500 Capp St. Moving between two and three dimensions within the same sculptures, Ireland explores concepts of scale and vision. Known for his wide range of materials, works are made from paint cans, phone books, metal, cement, wood and, even the skull of a water buffalo.

In 1999, Ireland collaborated with sound artist GX Jupitter-Larsen remixing and re-recording tapes from the audio achieves of 500 Capp St. The outcome was released as a CD on Vinyl Communications.