David Popa is infatuated with the natural world. So much so that he uses it to create art. Charcoal, ground shells, earth pigments, and natural water are his art supplies. Diverse landscapes—even ice floes—serve as his canvases for his striking, large-scale work.
Popa, who was born and raised in New York City, has been exposed to art and nature since an early age. His father, Albert Popa, is one of the city’s first graffiti artists. On weekends, the family would drive to Long Island just to be out in nature.
At the age of 21, David moved to Finland, where he currently resides. He primarily works on the islets and islands in the Nordic region, employing drones, videos, and photography to document his paintings.
Popa refers to himself as a “paleo-painter,” drawing inspiration from natural minerals found in geoglyphs and cave drawings. He uses the same raw materials that our ancestors used to create artwork in remote and seemingly otherworldly locations.
Being outdoors, Popa’s artwork is always subject to change. It can last anywhere from days to months. Sunlight throughout the day illuminates different surfaces, bird droppings can appear as energetic brushstrokes, and changing tides can reveal rock layers—or wash away the piece entirely, leaving remnants. Yet, according to Popa, this variability is integral to the artwork’s purpose.
“One of the goals of my work is to capture the ephemeral, fleeting nature of our lived reality,” Popa explained to The Modern Met. “A reality that is fragmented and broken and often makes us want to give up soon after we realize the broken pieces cannot be mended.”
Popa has ventured beyond the Nordic region to create his paintings in Utah and Saudi Arabia, including at the Tomb of Lihyan, Son of Kuza. Located in Hegra, it is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The warm tones of these desert environments give his work a new look and feel.
The artist is now collaborating with Memento, a photography collective and mental health brand, on an apparel line featuring his land art. You can also admire Popa’s work on Instagram and Facebook.