Mysterious Adventures: David Brooke

5th September to 18th September

David Brooke’s artwork is distinctive. Most of his paintings include highly stylised figures in action. Large hands and feet draw attention to whatever it is they’re doing, and what they’re connecting to beyond themselves. In the background there are enchanted waters, forests and skies – the elements of adventure and discovery – which seem to promise, through their intricate decoration, untold riches and pleasures, but what really lies beneath, within, or above? David’s aim is to create a sense of mystery, although events are taking place within his paintings, sometimes it is unclear exactly what is happening. There clearly is a narrative in these paintings, but it is left to the viewer to decide the nature of that narrative. The story elements are a device to draw people into the work, because it seems familiar, and then keep them there, while eliciting their own stories, their own responses and their own sense of mystery and adventure. 

Image: The Educated Landscape, by David Brooke

David attended an Art Foundation Course at Yeovil School of Art and a BA Graphic Design Course at Hull College of Art. He is a Past President of the Society of Graphic Fine Art. Also He is a member, and regularly exhibits with, the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts, the National Acrylic Painters’ Association, the Society for Art of the Imagination and the Bath Society of Artists. For 3 years David was the Arts and Administration Manager of the Yeovil Arts Centre, and afterwards he was employed by the Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, as their Visual Arts Co-ordinator. He is currently a full time artist living in Bridport, Dorset.