Interview With An Artist: Dave Buonaguidi

February 14, 2025

We sat down with Hackney royalty Dave Buonaguidi AKA Real Hackney Dave in advance of his upcoming exhibition 'Now That's What I Call Dave Buonaguidi! 10'. The exhibition is a celebration of our 10 year relationship working with Dave.

Jealous:

Can you remember the first project your worked on with Jealous?

Dave Buonaguidi:

I could never forget. It was an actual sized statue of Charles Saatchi. (click here to see)

Jealous:

Favourite NOW! Album?

Dave Buonaguidi:

Now That’s What I call Music 15

It’s got Toxic by Britney Spears

Jealous:

Best story about Dario?

Dave Buonaguidi:

I love him. The first time I interacted with him. I emailed him with the simple words “do you want to do something naughty?” He replied immediately and without being over dramatic, my life changed for the better.

Jealous:

Favourite artwork released over the last 10 years and why.

Dave Buonaguidi:

I think it would be the actual Love Bomb I did a few years back. A real decommissioned 1000lb bomb. I did it as a personal project and texted Dario and asked him if he knew anyone that wanted to buy an 8ft bomb that weighs an actual ton. He put it in the Saatchi gallery show Jealous did. Sometimes when you just do stuff, synchronicity takes care of it.

 Jealous:

What is a map that you would like to get your hands on that you haven’t been able to find?

Dave Buonaguidi:

I love the old Poverty Maps by Charles Booth. The details is incredible, and the amount of work that went into those maps is insane and that’s why they cost so much. I don’t think I would have the nerve to print onto one though. The pressure would be too great and I would immediately reduce the value of it in one pull.

Jealous:

Google Maps or Citymapper?

Dave Buonaguidi:

Google maps, every time.

Jealous:

How did you narrow down what artworks you wanted to show in your upcoming exhibition with Jealous?

Dave Buonaguidi:

I like to work closely with galleries, and I’m lucky enough to have a good relationship with Jealous, we are in constant contact and that’s good for me, because I’m always thinking about stuff. When the idea of a show was put to me, I had two choices really, try something new or celebrate the 10 years that we have worked together, and I thought that would be more fun. I’ve been lucky enough to do a show at Jealous every year for the last 10 years and we sat down and went through our favourite pieces from every year, so we created new versions of those pieces and did very short editions of 10 of each. 

Jealous:

You make the majority of your own works – what is it about screenprinting that you love so much?

Dave Buonaguidi:

I love making things! I get to make things as my job! I have been in the corporate world and was part of some very big organisations, and I have to say I am allergic to employees! Once you have an employee you are no longer working for yourself, and for once in my life I can come up with ideas and make them myself, and if I can’t make it myself, I’ll find someone great who can and pay them to do it for me.

Making stuff is exhilarating! my problem is I have too many ideas, and I want to make all of them, and I love to explore lots of different things, but I just love print. The actual printing process is so analogue it’s beautiful, the set up, the design process and the preparation is crucial to the end result and then it all comes together when the actual printing begins. I still get a massive buzz when I lift the lid up on the bed and see what has happened.

Jealous:

We would like your worst glitter anecdote please..?

Dave Buonaguidi:

Glitter is the herpes of the craft world. Official! It never goes away.

A few days ago, I was putting a plastic box of red glitter onto the top shelf and as it tipped the lid opened and poured all over me. In my hair, my eyes, my open mouth, everywhere. It gets everywhere. But I love it.

Jealous:

And finally, to round off 10 years of spectacular mark-making with our favourite Hackney bloke, give us your best bit of advice to the next generation of print-making superstars.

Dave Buonaguidi:

Be productive, be commercial and be professional.

I know that’s three, but fuck it.

Create more. Just make lots of stuff, this is the best job you will EVER have, you never run out of ideas, just try and make everything you think of.

Create sales. Being commercial is not dirty, it is essential, unless you are already wealthy. Money keeps you alive, not only as a human, but also as a creator. Money enables you to continue making and you only get money when you sell. It’s not rocket science. Make stuff that people want, that’s the challenging bit, but once you start doing stuff that you love that other people love so much they give you money for it, it’s beautiful.

Be a pro. This is your job, turn up on time and work hard. Working with galleries is a professional relationship and it’s vital that you turn up on every level.