DAVID GÖSTA DAWSON 

Documenting artists and communities through an intimate, collaborative lens.

contact.gosta@gmail.com

SELECTED WORKS

KOLEKTIV

2022

EYESORE Magazine

Belgrade, Serbia

During the summer of 2018 I directed the short film ‘KOLEKTIV’ (35m). EYESORE Magazine travelled to Belgrade, meeting with a series of artists and collectives whose work reflects, re-imagines and re-creates their city. KOLEKTIV is a journey across Belgrade, exploring the spaces artists occupy, create and socialise in.

Director: David Gösta Dawson

Producer: Nina Vukadin
DOP: Joseph Liam Reddy
Editor: David Gösta Dawson
Sound Artist: Janek Nixon
Colour Grader: Vinh Long Tran
Translator: Đorđe Lukić

Confessions

2024

Takeover Gallery

Beirut, Lebanon

As part of a residency at Takeover Gallery in Beirut, Electra Simon reframes the traditional confession box. She creates an artwork which reflects the inner worlds of those who visit and confess.

Director: David Gösta Dawson

Editor: David Gösta Dawson
Sound Design: Sohrab Henri-Jamal

Miriam

2023

LAMSA

Bekaa, Lebanon

Homemaking in displacement is precarious. Daily rituals, objects, smells and sounds offer a sense of comfort. This is Miriam’s home. She is a Syrian crochet artisan living in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.

This film was commissioned by community-based fashion brand LAMSA, and shown as part of an exhibition.

Featuring Miriam Zhouri

Directed by David Gösta Dawson

Produced by LAMSA

Edited by David Gösta Dawson

Install by David Gösta Dawson

Through the Lens of Dignity

University College London

2023

Bekaa, Lebanon

An educational documentary exploring the experiences of three Syrian women living as refugees in Bekaa, Lebanon. This participatory film was made in collaboration with Syrian NGO Multi Aid Programs (MAPS) and co-written by its protagonists. It employs a dignity framework created by researcher and producer Natalie Garland. This film is currently being screened in UK schools to transform young people’s perceptions of refugee-hood.

Directed by David Gösta Dawson

Produced by Natalie Garland

Co-written by Bayan Mahmoud Maudamani, Eman Abduljawad, Reem Fakhri Al Goundi, Mahmoud Zahed Alzhoury

Research by Charlotte Cartledge, Natalie Garland

Translation by Eman Abduljawad

Supported by Multi Aid Programs

(For ethical reasons, the video itself cannot be shown here. Available on request.)