In his North Carolina studio, Davis Choun uses painted and deconstructed wooden clothespins to create his highly patterned and textured works.
Artist: The North Carolina native was born and grew up in Rutherfordton, NC. He went to North Carolina State University, where he earned a bachelor’s of art and design.
Company/studio: Davis Choun, based in Raleigh, started in 2016. Choun has worked out of his home studio since 2023. Previously, he had studio space at Artspace in downtown Raleigh.
In the beginning: Created his first piece in high school after taking clothespins apart, painting them in random colors, and gluing them to a board. In college, Choun created a larger scale one and with better materials.
Art & materials: Wall sculptures or wall panels using mostly deconstructed clothespins, which are roughly the same size unless he cuts them. In other works, Choun uses found objects and construction materials.
By the numbers: There are about 2,050 clothespins total for a 48-inch x 72-inch piece.
What’s popular: Larger pattern pieces ($4,000 to $14,000) and 12-inch x 12-inch pieces ($750).
Process:
- Takes apart clothespins, which have two pieces.
- Burns clothespins, mostly using a propane torch, in a small covered workspace outside his home. Some clothespins are lightly burned. Others more so. Burning adds a patina effect.
- Dyes some of the clothespins using industrial fiber dyes. Also stains some using wood stains.
- Reassembles clothespins in an interlocking pattern. Then glues them on a wood panel.
Tools: Hands, wire stripping pliers, sewing gauge and pry tool.
Inspirations: Artists including: El Anatsui, Sol Lewitt, Josef Albers.
Recent honor: Featured in March 2024 issue of North Carolina based WALTER magazine.
What’s next: Creating new work for a group show at the Momentum Gallery in Asheville. Nov.14-Feb. 22.
Where to buy:
- Davischoun.com
- Momentumgallery.com for smaller work.
Connect: Instagram: @DavisChoun
