BORN  1960  Sheffield, England

STUDIES

Self-taught

Background

David Bromley immigrated to Australia with his family in 1964.

Bromley emerged as a painter in the mid 1980s. In the early stages of his career, he held solo exhibitions in Sydney and Adelaide and represented works in state and regional galleries, to include finalist in the Archibald Prize, AGNSW, in 1999, 2001 and 2004.

In his practice, David Bromley has developed themes for two distinct and unique styles of painting; the female portrait and the children’s series.

In the works based on children, impressions of the joy and innocence of childhood are ever-present. The compositions are reminiscent of bygone days and loaded with toys, pets and adventure. As seen in recent paintings of summers by the sea, the artist reveals a playful inquisitiveness that provokes fond memories of youth.

In the portrait series, Bromley explores the female form. Commonly, the paintings are life size poses, whether provocative or demure, of models from fashion and film. The portraits are commanding and seductive, the females attractive and bare breasted.

However diverse in his subject matter, Bromley’s work is enduringly figurative, daringly coloured and executed with a graphic intention reminiscent of Warhol’s Pop Art from the 1960s. This can be seen in the layering of high key colour, graphic brushwork and gold and silver leaf. Bromley states that he is inspired by Warhol’s work, ‘in particular his portraiture and figurative work’.

In the past five years, his work has achieved a global identity with major exhibitions held throughout Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA.

Works by David Bromley are represented in collections in Australia to include; Artbank, Art Gallery of South Australia, Art Gallery of Western Australia, and the National Gallery of Victoria.

Primarily a figurative painter, Bromley explores two distinct themes – Images of children and the female nude. His youthful explorations can be traced to 1950’s children’s book illustrations. These works pointedly explore the innocence of youth and the adventure, exploration and imagination. Bromley infuses these colourful works with a painterly style and unexpected metallic backdrops in gold and silver leaf. An avid collector of vintage objects, Bromley’s studio is a treasure trove of inspiration for the nostalgic imagery he employs.

Bromley’s admiration for Pop Art has played a significant role in shaping his work. He credits Warhol as an early influence demonstrated in his reductive colours, graphic style and the simplified forms of his nudes. His stunning nudes are often accompanied by floating flowers or butterflies alluding to fertility and beauty. In an unconventional gesture, Bromley rolls stripes of paint through the figures – infusing an unexpected abstract layer to these intriguing forms.

Over the past 20 years Bromley’s work has fostered widespread acclaim and notoriety in Australia and Internationally. He has exhibited on nearly every continent including Asia, Europe, Africa and America.

Bromley’s work maintains a universal appeal by tapping into the collective memory of youth and the wonder of human existence.

David became recognised in his early twenties exhibiting throughout Australia.

Since then, he has emerged as one of the most recognisable and innovative artists in Australia.

His influences although rooted in 1950’s culture – are as distinct as his styles.

SOLO EXHIBITION

2014 Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery, Sydney
2013 Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery, Canberra
2012 Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery, Newcastle
Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery, Sydney
Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Adelaide
Gullotti & amp; Murano Gallery, Perth
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco
Everard Read, Cape Town
Everard Read, Johannesburg
2011 Gallery One, Gold Coast
Rebecca Hossack, New York
Rebecca Hossack, London
Cat St Gallery, Hong Kong
2010 Ode to Art, Singapore
Rarity Gallery, Mykonos
Degawa Hirasaku, Tokyo
Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg
2009 Degawa Hirosaku, Osaka
Suzanne Zander Gallery, Koln
2008 Degawa Hirosaku, Japan
Rebecca Hossack, London
Tim Olsen, Sydney
Jan Murphy, Brisbane
Scott Livesey, Melbourne
2007 Tim Olsen Gallery, Sydney
Cat Street Gallery, Hong Kong
2006 Tim Olsen Gallery, Sydney
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Hill – Smith Fine Art Gallery, Adelaide
2005 Tim Olsen Gallery, Sydney
Hill-Smith Fine Art Gallery, Adelaide
Scott Livesey Art Dealer, Melbourne
Obsession Gallery, Japan
Rice Polak Gallery, Massachusetts, USA
2004 Tim Olsen Gallery, Sydney
Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
Obsession Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
Scott Livesey Art Dealer, Melbourne
Kagoshima, Japan
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London
2003 Obsession Gallery, Tokyo & Kyoto, Japan
Scott Livesey Art Dealer, Melbourne
Tim Olsen Gallery, Sydney
Perth Galleries, Perth
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Susanne Zander Galerie, Koln Germany
Hill-Smith Fine Art, Adelaide
2002 Scott Livesey Art Dealer, Melbourne
Chapman Gallery, Canberra
Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London
2001 Scott Livesey Art Dealer, Melbourne
Hill-Smith Fine Art, Adelaide
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Tim Olsen Gallery, Sydney
2000 Scott Livesey Art Dealer, Melbourne
Atelier de Cyrille Varet – Viaduc des Arts, Paris
Perth Galleries, Perth
1999 Hill-Smith Fine Art, Adelaide
Chapman Gallery, Canberra
Coventry Gallery, Sydney
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
1998 Perth Galleries, Perth
Kozminski Galleries, Melbourne
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
1997 Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Coventry Gallery, Sydney
Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide
1996 Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Grand Orbit Artspace, Brisbane
Dick Bett Gallery, Hobart
1995 Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide
Coventry Gallery, Sydney
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
1994 Dick Bett Gallery, Hobart
1993 Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide
Coventry Gallery, Sydney
Dick Bett Gallery, Hobart
Victor Mace Gallery, Brisbane
1992 Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide
Coventry Gallery, Sydney
1991 Coventry Gallery, Sydney
1990 BMG Gallery, Adelaide
1989 Coventry Gallery, Sydney

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2012 Apada Arts & Antique Fair (18 – 23 September)
20/21 British Art Fair (12 – 16 September)
Art Melbourne (25-27 May)
The Affordable Art Fair South London (14-18 March)
2011 The Affordable Art Fair Singapore (18 – 20 November)
Art Toronto (28- 31 October)
The Affordable Art Fair North London (27 – 30 October)
Art London (6-10 October)
The Affordable Art Fair New York (22-25 September)
20/21 British Art Fair (14 – 18 September)
Art Melbourne (19 – 22 May 2011)
The Affordable Art Fair New York (5 – 8 May)
The London Original Print Fair (22-19 April)
The Affordable Art Fair (10 – 13 March)
London Art Fair (19 – 23 January)
2010 Art Sydney (11 – 14 November)
Art Toronto (28 – 1 November)
The Affordable Art Fair (21 – 24 October)
Art London (7 – 11 October)
The Affordable Art Fair New York (29 September – 3 October)
20/21 British Art Fair (15 – 19 September)
Utrecht Open Art Fair (8 – 12 September)
Art Hamptons – The International Fine Art Fair (8 – 11 July)
The Henley Festival (7 – 11 July)
San Francisco Fine Art Fair (21 – 23 May)
AAF New York (6 – 9 May)
London Original Print Fair (29 April – 2 May)
Glasgow Art Fair (25 – 28 March)
AAF Spring (11 – 14 March)
Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show (12 – 16 February)
Affordable Art Fair Brussels (4 – 8 February)
LA Art Show (20 – 24 January)
London Art Fair 2010 (13 – 17 January)
2009 Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam (29 October – 1 November)
Toronto Art Fair (22 – 26 October)
Affordable Art Fair – Autumn Collection (22 – 25 October)
Art London (6 – 13 October)
20/21 British Art Fair (16 – 20 September)
Open Art Fair (6 – 13 October)
Art Hamptons (10 – 12 July)
Henley Festival (8 – 12 July)
AAF Paris (4 – 7 July)
Affordable Art Fair New York (7 – 10 May)
Glasgow Art Fair (23 – 26 April)
London Original Print Fair (22 – 26 April)
AAF Spring Collection 2009 (12 – 15 March)
20/21 International Art Fair (19 – 22 February)
AAF Brussels (12 – 15 February)
Watercolour and Drawings Fair (4 – 8 February)
Los Angeles Art Show (21 – 25 January)
Palm Beach (January)
London Art Fair (13 – 18 January)
2008 Art Miami (3 – 7 December)
Edinburgh Art Fair (21 – 23 November)
Art Ireland (14 – 16 November)
The Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam (29 October – 2 November)
The Affordable Art Fair London (23 – 26 October)
Art London (2 – 6 October)
Toronto Art Fair (2 – 6 October)
Dublin Art Fair (11 – 14 September)
20/21 British Art Fair (10 – 14 September)
Art Santa Fe (10 – 13 July)
The Henley Festival (9 – 13 July)
The Affordable Art Fair, New York (12 – 15 June)
Art Moscow (14 – 18 May)
The London Original Print Fair (23 – 27 April)
Glasgow Art Fair (27 – 30 March)
The Affordable Art Fair (13 – 16 March)
2006 The Grand Opening, Scott Livesey Gallery, Melbourne
New York AAF, USA
Art Miami, USA
Cat Street Gallery, Hong Kong
Zaishu Show, Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne
2005 Art Palm Beach, USA
Art London, UK
Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Rice Polak Gallery, Massachusetts, USA
Salon de Refuse (ARCHIBALD),SH Erwin Gallery, Sydney
Art Glasgow, Scotland
2004 Toronto International Art Fair, Canada
New York AAF, USA
Art Koln, Germany
Art LONDON Art Fair, London
Art Palm Beach, USA
Finalist in the Archibald Prize (McLean Edwards), AGNSW
Glasgow Art Fair, Scotland
2003 Art Miami, USA
Art Palm Beach, USA
Art London, UK
Alchemy, Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Alchemy, Tim Olsen Gallery, Sydney
2002 The Outsider Art Fair, Marion Harris, New York
4 x 4, Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
Australian Visions, Bunkamura Gallery, Tokyo
Art LONDON Art Fair, London
Finalist in the Archibald Prize (Charles Blackman), AGNSW
Winter Artists x 12, Perth Galleries, Perth, Western Australia
Bristol Art Fair, UK
20/21 Century British Art Fair
2001 Modern Living Art, Mitsukoshi, Tokyo
Finalist in the Archibald Prize (Long Tom Tjapanangka), AGNSW
Artists Supporting Animal Preservation, Sydney
Art LONDON Art Fair, London
2000 Three Men in a Boat, Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London
Finalist in the Archibald Sporting Portrait Prize, AGNSW
Affair to Remember, Australian High Commission, S ingapore
Ten Australian Artists, Nicola Townsend Art Dealer, Tokyo
Finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize
Art LONDON Art Fair, London
1999 Finalist in the Archibald Prize, AGNSW
Salon de Refuse (ARCHIBALD), SH Erwin Gallery, Sydney
1989 Selected Survey, Noosa Regional Gallery, Noosa
1997 Salon de Refuse (ARCHIBALD), SH Erwin Gallery, Sydney
1996 Salon de Refuse (WYNNE), SH Erwin Gallery, Sydney
1994 Finalist in Moet & Chandon Award Sport, Artspace, Adelaide
20 Artists / 20 Years, Coventry Gallery, Sydney
1993 Winner – Fisher Ghost Award, New South Wales
Finalist in Moet & Chandon Award
Chandler Coventry: A Private Collection, Campbelltown City Art Gallery
Victor Mace Gallery, Brisbane
1992 Dick Bett Gallery, Hobart
Coventry Gallery, Sydney
1991 New Art Five, Coventry Gallery, Sydney
1990 BMG Gallery, Adelaide
Coventry Gallery, Sydney

AWARDS

Finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize 6 times.

COLLECTIONS

Allen, Allen & Hemsley, Sydney; Annelie Brunsten Gallery,
Germany; Artbank, Australia; Art Gallery of South Australia; Art
Gallery of Western Australia; Baker & McKenzie, Sydney;
Campbelltown City Art Gallery; CCT Internet Travel, Brisbane;
Derwent Collection, Hobart; De Pasquale Advertising, Brisbane;
Derwent Collection, Hobart; Flinders University, South Australia;
Gadens Ridgeway, Sydney; Gold Coast City Art Gallery; Marsdens,
Sydney; National Gallery of Victoria; Northern Territory Art
Museum; Optus, Brisbane; Pan Continental Mining; Radisson
Playford, Adelaide; Red Ochre Restaurant, Adelaide; St Peter’s
College, Adelaide; Tamar Collection, Hobart; Taxation Department,
Melbourne; Tiffins on the Park, Adelaide; University of the
Northern Territory; University of Southern Qld

PUBLICATIONS

2012 Taschen World Interiors (6 page spread)
Grund Genug, Germany
Urbis, New Zealand
Marie Claire, Australia
House & Garden, Australia
Scoop, Australia
2011 Elle, Italy
IDEAT, France
2010 Vogue Magazine, Germany
Linda Magazine, Holland
Harpers Bazaar (Cover)
Elle Décoration, UK 2010
2009 Elle, Italy
2008 Elle Decoration, France
Art Monthly
Vogue Living, Australia
2007 Inside Out
2006 New York Times
Art Monthly