In The Studio with DS
Current Artist in Residence
David Schmidt, known professionally as ‘DS,’ is a London-based urban artist began his street art journey in East London in 2002.
Living in East London during the early 2000s—a time when the area was saturated with work from artists who would later become icons of the street art world—DS became hooked. It started with simple black-and-white robot stencils spotted around Dalston and Shoreditch. As he delved deeper into the medium, his style evolved to include more layers, greater detail, and increasingly intricate hand-cutting techniques.
DS’ work often explores themes of violence, fragility, and the contrast between old and new. Over time, his street art developed a recurring motif: dysfunctional angels and cherubs that fuse classical imagery with contemporary elements. In the studio, he focuses on even more refined work, including a recent series that reimagines discarded oil paintings and transforms used spray cans into sculptural pieces.
In addition to his street art, DS has been commissioned by multinational companies and has sold his art in prestigious locations such as Harrods. Notably, he painted MG Motors’ first official art car. His work has been exhibited in various galleries across the world and has recently opened his own gallery, North 1 Gallery.
Drop by the studio on the first floor to discover what DS is working on.