David Bromley

Biography

“I spent until recently, nearly 2 years making art in a partly outside studio. Having been in a semi tropical, natural environment I find painting butterflies even more important now I’m back in my Melbourne studio. The vibrant city hum and clatter of trams and busy streets, which I also love, has though meant that butterflies don’t visit me as they did in Byron. Fortunately, when I am in the studio, my mind and my brush travels through my imagination and I am in a place my dreams take me!
Through this creative lens, all the characters and subjects in my work can still be portrayed from the garden of my mind”.

David Bromley has been a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize six times (1999,2000,2001,2002,2004,2008) a Finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize and the Moet & Chandon Prize.David’s work is held in numerous public and private collections both in Australia and overseas.

A finalist in the AGNSW’s Archibald Prize in 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2008, he has been awarded the coveted title in the Fisher’s Ghost Prize, along with being named numerous times as a finalist in the Moet & Chandon Touring Art Prize.

Emerging as one of the most recognisable and innovative artists in Australia, Bromley’s practice is recognised for its distinct styles of painting that include; the female portrait, his children series and the butterflies and birds series. His children’s series typically draws on imagery from Boy’s Own annuals and old magazines, and explores the themes of childhood innocence, lost and found. The paintings hint at both innocence and enigma in the way that they bring together elements that vacillate between nostalgia and symbolism. The nude series has used similar layering and texturing techniques in his explorations of the female figure, which tantalise the viewer with their suggestions of veiled meaning. David Bromley is also increasingly in demand as a portraitist. He has been a finalist four times in the Archibald Prize and the painter of some famous visages, including filmmaker Scott Hicks, actor Hugo Weaving and pop-star Kylie Minogue.

Bromley’s design eye and ability to create mesmerising, engaging experiences has seen him commissioned to design and orchestrate crafted environments both throughout Australia and internationally. Working within contexts as diverse as residential skyscrapers developments, major boutique retail spaces and even within iconic food and beverage venues, his unique ability to create transformative, otherworldly experiences has helped in redefining how audiences typically engage with and respond to these environments.David’s practice has extended to significant work in sculpture, creating in both bronze and resin to bring to life the characters imbued within his paintings. His work, both in painting and sculpture have become cornerstone pieces for several of the key interior projects

MAJOR PROJECTS AND COLLABORATIONS

LA Women Show

Eastland – stage two

Fitzroy Social

West Village – West End Brisbane

Moose Toys – Corporate Headquarters

Wolf Blass – Birdcage & Wine Labels

Bromley  & Co China

Dulux Paint

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

Kookai Australia Concept Stores

LA – Guerilla Atelier

Potato Head Folk – Singapore

Saint Bromley – Collaboration

Forever New – Kendall & Kylie Jenner

Greenhouse – by Joost

Jonson Street – Byron Bay

Rae – at Wategos

Wolf Blass – 80^th Commemoration

Designex – Sydney

EXHIBITIONS

100 + solo and group national and international exhibitions

AWARDS AND PRIZES

David Bromley has been listed as a finalist or winner of multiple awards including the most significant list

A finalist in the AGNSW’s Archibald Prize in 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2008

2009 – listed as the 50 of Australia’s most collectable artists – by Australian Art Collector Magazine

Moët & Chandon Award, Finalist, Adelaide

2000 Doug Moran Portrait Prize, Finalist

1993 Fisher Ghost Award, Winner, New South Wales