David Brian Smith
the United Kingdom
b.1981
David Brian Smith comes from Wolverhampton, where he began his artistic education. He then continued his studies at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. He has had numerous exhibitions across Europe, and in 2023 he expanded his work beyond the continent, specifically to India.
Smith's paintings are filled with a range of symbols, of which the figure of the shepherd, often with his head melancholically bowed, is perhaps the most powerful. The symbolism in the paintings is complemented by the unconventional colouring of the objects, which borders on the psychedelic quality of the subjects. In addition, the artist equips the paintings with other hidden symbols - written text is often hidden under the layer of colour. A great inspiration for Smith are the materials that surrounded him during his childhood - these are reflected in a certain way in the structure of his paintings, again contrasting with materials such as gold leaf.
