David Finnigan formally studied art to degree level at Falmouth School of Art 1985 - 88.
But his interest in art began early in life, avidly sketching and drawing at every opportunity. 

Later he became fascinated by art movements such as Surrealism and later the dynamism of movements such as Futurism and Vorticism, eventually his work moved towards a more realist approach to painting.

Taking an interest  in photograpers such as Stephen Shore and Bernd and Hilla Becher, who were part of the mid 70’s ‘New Topograhics’ Exhibition. An exhibition which spawned a photographic movement which continues to this day.

Intrigued, Finnigan saw a way to utilise the concept, that this genre of photography proposed, in his own painted works.

By trying to achieve a neutrality , devoid of style while conveying substantial amounts of detail and eschewing the generally accepted aspetcs of beauty, emotion and opinion, he is able to use this visual aesthetic as a ‘jumping off’ point in his painting. The resulting,  seemingly ‘photorealistic’ works  , with their inherent sense of painterliness bridge a gap while defining something new.