The Skinny on... David Lemm
We talk to artist (and former employee of The Skinny) David Lemm ahead of his solo exhibition in Leith's Good Vibes
What’s your favourite place to visit and why?
I very much enjoy visiting places with supposed occult origins or forgotten uses, and am particularly fond of standing stones and ruins in woodlands.
Favourite food and why?
Pizza. So simple, so versatile, so delicious. I am coeliac though, so I’m slightly hampered and forever searching for a better base.
Favourite colour and why?
I struggle to see past the purity of a black print on aged paper.
Who was your hero growing up?
Probably Salvador Dalí. He was the first artist I seriously got into and I was obsessed with his paintings. Honourable mentions go to Stephen Hendry, Mike Jittlov and Willy Wonka.
Whose work inspires you now?
I’m just back from a residency in Norfolk where I saw an exhibition on Constructivism which made a lot of sense to me. In general I like artists who play with materials and who work between disciplines.
What three people would you invite to your dinner party and what are you cooking?
Jarvis Cocker, Björk and Ncuti Gatwa. All night pizza party.
What’s your all-time favourite album?
It’s very weird saying this right now, but it’s probably Hounds of Love. It never disappoints and feels like it changes slightly every listen. Over the years it’s soundtracked so many memorable moments for me. It feels like a window into multiple worlds, as the Duffer brothers obviously recognised!
What’s the worst film you’ve ever seen?
I need to revisit it, but I remember watching KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park in the wee hours at All Tomorrow’s Parties years ago and laughing so hard I lost my voice.
What book would you take to a desert island?
Something practical like Tristan Gooley’s collection. I think about his book The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs all the time. I’d want to explore and learn as much as I could about what might be happening on the island.
What's your all-time favourite artwork?
Kind of impossible to say, but I love Phyllida Barlow’s work and in particular Set at Fruitmarket a few years ago. Or Cy Twombly’s Natural History, Part I, Mushrooms.
Who’s the worst?
It’s too strong a field to choose from right now really.
When did you last cry?
I had a wee tear in the eye during the first scan of my impending child.
What are you most scared of?
Running out of time.
When did you last vomit and why?
I think it was last year and the demon drink was probably involved.
Tell us a secret?
All the work in my upcoming exhibition at Good Vibes in Leith is made from materials used to build the tram lines outside my studio there.
Which artist could you take in a fight?
I’m not into fighting (although I very much enjoyed the film Knuckle), but if it was a life or death situation, I’d unleash unseen fury upon whoever makes those Highland cow paintings.
If you could be reincarnated as an animal, which animal would it be?
Got to be a bird. I’d go for an owl – they seem to have it all sussed out. I’m naturally pretty nocturnal and quietly stare a lot, so I think the lifestyle would suit me.
Tracks, new works by David Lemm, opening preview Thu 21 Jul 6-8pm, then daily Fri 22 Jul-7 Aug, 12-6pm, Good Vibes, 151-153 Constitution Street, EH6 7AD
@david_lemm
@goodvibesleith