Born in 1937 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, David Whitburn is the first legacy artist of A.R.T.: Arist Resource Transnational, a nonprofit organization that seeks to preserve artists’ legacies for future generations, exchange visual culture internationally, and by doing so, promote world peace. Whitburn began drawing abstract figures for enjoyment in 1961, not believing that he was practicing art. In 1967, however, Whitburn had a one man show at the David Barnett Gallery. Barnett’s support had a profound impact on the artist, and he was spurred on to continue a life making art. As a result, before passing away in October 2025, Whitburn gave the David Barnett Gallery his entire oeuvre. The artist was meticulous about documenting his artistic output, so A.R.T. will have a thorough accounting of his body of work. Whitburn’s art owes itself to a myriad of influences; perhaps the most recognizable are science fiction and Surrealism. His works seem to exist in an otherworldly space occupied by strange biomorphic objects. In a podcast recorded shortly before his death, Whitburn confirmed his style was influenced by the science fiction genre in general; the novel by H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds; the 1953 film after the book; and complex mathematics. In addition, the pictures are often set in barren landscapes with figures that could only exist in a Surrealist dreamscape. Other influences are as diverse as the German Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich, the Surrealist Yves Tanguy, and the abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky. David Whitburn’s thought-provoking works caught the interest of gallery owner David Barnett. If it had not been for the one-man show at the David Barnett Gallery, Whitburn may have toiled in relative obscurity and may never have been a recognized artist. Fortunately, that has not been the case. And because of A.R.T.’s mission to preserve artists’ legacies, Whitburn’s work will be protected and exhibited for generations.