Little Interview David Eager Maher
Every month we ask the same set of cultural questions to one of our artistic, academic or civic collaborators.
Over the last number of years, we have interviewed diverse members of the Glucksman community - artists, academics, staff members, guests, audiences and workshop participants. The responses are funny, inspiring, revealing and always a great read.
This month, we hear from artist David Eager Maher whose works are on display in our current interview Panorama Europa.
What are you reading?
I’m finally getting round to reading the classic novel The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles (1949), a friend compared it to the movie Sirāt (2025) which I loved, I’m equally captivated by The Sheltering Sky.
Favourite museum?
The Prado Madrid.
Best performance?
Frank Wasser’s A Swift Half at Miart Milan (2026)
This performance was an evolving script, a hybrid digital and analogue text incorporating multiple registers of storytelling, archival material, and theoretical reflection while engaging with literary figures such as Flann O'Brien, Samuel Beckett, John B. Keane-himself a barman— and Jonathan Swift.
Most treasured possession?
A large oak desk that I bought in an antique shop twenty seven years ago, it’s in my studio, scuffed and splattered with paint. I use it everyday. Sometimes I think it has magical powers.
Work(s) of art that inspire you?
Gerard Dillon, Yellow Bungalow ( 1954) Henri Matisse, The Red Studio (1911) Odilon Redon, The Death of Buddha (1899) Matthias Weischer, Tagasode(2023) John McAllister, darksome night bright beaming (2024)
A lightbulb moment?
At some point in art school I realised that an idea can take any form imaginable, it became clear that ideas are all around 24/7 while awake or asleep, it was a liberating realisation. Ideas can even be found by activity with paint and materials, this seemed so good I thought it must be cheating. But it’s not, ideas are everywhere when we are open to them.
Guilty pleasure?
Good champagne and German techno music.
What would you like to be doing right now?
Walking in the fields behind my studio with my happy dog Biscuit. It’s great watching her run.