Local Profile: David Nackashi
Mena alchi | dec. 15 2023 | Arts & entertainment
Jacksonville muralist David Nackashi recognizes the significance of spreading art throughout Jacksonville, where a vast array of murals highlights peoples’ daily lives and values to their community. Nackashi has played an essential role in transforming the city’s downtown area in numerous ways, such as painting diverse pieces ranging from the four Florida Cracker Cows to black-and-white images of Brooklyn.
Through this, he aims to provide a sense of pride for Jacksonville residents during their leisurely activities and appreciate the evolution of the city’s street art. In exploring this progression, staff writer Mena Alchi sat down with Nackashi to discuss the development of his art and the impact it has on the city’s residents.
How did you get started as a street artist and what inspired you to pursue this form of art?
“My goal was to [promote my] oil paintings on canvas, [but] without a solid name in the art world, you cannot make a living off that. You could probably sell one [seldomly], but you need public attention, so you start saying ‘Yes’ to a lot of murals. I still do them, but I am trying to scale back a bit to give more attention to oil paintings, [however] I will always do [cityscapes], hopefully bigger and more public ones.”
Are there specific artists or movements that influence your work?
“I really like the Dada Movement, which is [when] you throw a group of objects on the table, [and whichever way] they land, is how they land. [I] appreciate how they randomly occur…not so contrived and [controlled]. As far as application, I really like Richard Diebenkorn, Edward Hopper, [and] some impressionists, but [I can value] any sort of style if it has a solid concept and it is painted for a reason. [Art] is about describing a human struggle and not just who can copy something the best.”
Can you describe your creative process, from idea generation to the actual execution of a piece?
“It is a struggle. I start with nothing, [yet I am] very critical of myself [throughout the process]. If I [produce] an idea, I cannot be scared to [think], ‘That is not a good idea,’ [and] start over. [My goal is to] acknowledge what the client wants [while] staying true to [my] artistic style, and attributing meaning to a nice paintwork.”
How do you choose the locations for your artworks and what significance do these locations hold for you?
“[As I previously mentioned], I am from Jacksonville and [it] is important to me. I would love to be a part of [uplifting my city] and putting them on a map as far as art goes, but I do not pick the locations, the clients do. I will get a commission telling me where [to paint, and] will do research on the area and what would be the most meaningful subject matter, [and how] to portray [it].”
What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your street art?
“I can be all over the place [with] what the client is looking for, but I [aim to] make it as meaningful as possible. I tend to lean towards the beauty in nature, which [is] random, [and similar to] the Dada Movement [which has a] less rigid [style], but also [has] a lot of structure in an organic way. This [relates to the] reason [for] human designs [which is] to elevate other human designs [by] bringing them closer to the way the natural world constructs itself, [which] is ideal.
Can you share some of the challenges you face as a street artist and how you overcame them?
“[Some setbacks I face include] ladders, finding how to get up places, [and the] Florida heat. [Usually people ask], ‘How did you get up on that bridge, how did you get over there, how did you paint that so big?’ But [those] challenges are what make the art impressive.
Have you faced any memorable reactions or interactions with the public while creating or displaying your street art?
“Yes, most people like seeing murals go up, [as] it brings color to the area. [Specifically], it is nice to see...people standing in front of and interacting with...the mural I have in San Marco with the dragonfly wings. [Also], I know many people [who] have made special trips to see the [four Florida Cracker Cows] or the riverwalk. Knowing that I am bringing people out and bringing them [to] downtown is important to me.”
What role do you think street art plays in the broader art community or in social discussions?
“Despite what a lot of people think, everybody needs art, even [if they might not] know it. To be on a canvas [is something] everyone needs whether they realize it or not, [but much of it] is now digital and marketed art. [Many people believe] they have to be able to [create] art, but you could put art in [any setting, like] a restaurant or bathroom, and it elevates [the scenery]. Everybody appreciates art, some more than others.”
How do you approach collaborations with other artists and do these collaborations influence or shape your individual artistic style?
“I have shockingly never worked with anybody, [possibly because I am] more of a control freak, so I have not. [Also] there [are] a lot of nuances on working efficiently [and making] small decisions [in] a mural and I feel more comfortable making those decisions myself. [I am, however,] open to working with anyone who’s style and way of working compliments mine.”
How do you see the future of street art evolving and what impact do you hope your work has on the audience?
“I think art will continue to make people upset and irritated [because] it will always be the first to [evolve]. Claude Monet was criticized for not finishing his paintings, but he was capturing the moment, and you cannot do that when you are painting [extreme] realism. He painted the moment, something that no one [had ever done], and people who were [unfamiliar with] it thought it was unfinished. [In more recent times] I think technology will make it easier to create designs and offer multiple ways to scale those designs to huge walls. The challenge for artists will always be their ability to distinguish themselves from the rest.”