“I spent until recently, nearly two years making art in a partly outside studio. Having been in a semi tropical, natural environment I find painting butterflies even more important. 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.
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, David Bromley’s 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 Bromley’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. David Bromley’s work, both in painting and sculpture have become cornerstone pieces for several of the key interior projects
David Bromley: 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 – 80th Commemoration
Designex – Sydney
David Bromley: 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