David Welker
Encyclopedia
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
based artist.
Graduating from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
in 1986 he has since lived and worked in downtown Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
as a recluse. His artwork on the cover of the 1993 Elektra
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
release Rift
Rift (album)
Rift is the fourth official studio album by the American rock band Phish. It is the band's second concept album, the first being The Man Who Stepped into Yesterday in 1987, which has never been officially released. Rifts songs convey the experience of a man dreaming about the rift in his...
,by the rock band Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
, was listed as one of the top ten album covers of all time by Relix
Relix
Relix magazine was launched in 1974 as newsletter devoted to connecting people who recorded Grateful Dead concerts. It rapidly expanded into a music magazine covering a wide amount of artists...
magazine in 2007. Besides his ongoing personal work, Welker has collaborated with famed fashion photographer Raphael Mazzucco
Raphael Mazzucco
Raphael Mazzucco or Rafael Mazzucco is a Canadian fashion, art and music photographer. His photographs have appeared on the cover of five consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues, including the 2006, 2008 and 2009 main cover images....
commercially to produce a hardcover limited edition Victoria's Secret Photo Annual where his interpretive portrait, "Alessandra Ambrosio
Alessandra Ambrosio
Alessandra Corine Ambrósio is a Brazilian model. Ambrosio is best known for her work with Victoria's Secret and was chosen as the first spokesmodel for the company's "PINK" line...
" is published.
Among Welkers' other commercial endeavors, he often partners with muralist Franklin Tartaglione, completing projects for some of the top interior designers in the world. From 1992-2000, Welker participated in the French Designer's Showhouse in New York City, where he exhibited his paintings and murals. His work is in private collections worldwide. Welker lives and works in Soho
Soho
Soho is an area of the City of Westminster and part of the West End of London. Long established as an entertainment district, for much of the 20th century Soho had a reputation for sex shops as well as night life and film industry. Since the early 1980s, the area has undergone considerable...
.