ABOUT DAVID
David is an experienced artist with skills in a range of media including painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramic sculpture and stained window design.
He works from his studio in Darlington with views over State forest.
His primary training was completed in the UK, graduating in painting and ceramic sculpture. He also has a Masters degree in art education and Art Psychotherapy. For many years he lectured in fine art (drawing,printmaking and painting) at Edith Cowan University.
In 1992 he initiated a Masters in Art Therapy training programme at the WA Academy of Performing Arts— the first of its kind in Australia. David coordinated the 2 year programme with a yearly intake of 15 students until 1997 when he moved into private practice. In that year he established an Art Therapy service in the Perth CBD.
David in his Darlington Studio.
As this developed he was offered a contract with the Department for Child Protection as a provider for Aboriginal children in care.
Following retirement from his practice in 2010 David was invited by the Department to provide an Art Therapy service to Aboriginal children in remote communities in the Pilbara. The core connection in this service was the provision of a safe space for making art. The experience of an empathic creative relationship with the Aboriginal community with the value it attaches to art making has reciprocally inspired David to explore new ways of developing his own creativity.
David’s practice as an Art Therapist has always developed in tandem with his work as an artist. His paintings and drawings are in private collections in Perth, the UK and US. He has completed commissions for portraits and public works in stained glass and bronze sculpture.
He is currently listed with the Juniper Gallery in Darlington.
EDUCATION
1996 Graduate Diploma in Art Psychotherapy
Thesis title: A containing environment for the emotionally disturbing child.
Goldsmith’s College, London University
1984 Master of Arts in Art Education, (Art Therapy)
Thesis title: Towards a concept of Art Therapy
School of Art Education, Birmingham Polytechnic
1966 Graduate Diploma in Art Teaching, Birmingham, UK
1962 National Diploma of Design (Painting, Ceramic Sculpture)
School of Art, Harrow, London
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
1996 Australian National Art Therapy Association – Registered Member
1999 State Registered Arts Therapist – Health Professions Council UK
1998 Psychotherapists and Counsellors Association of WA, Full Member
1996 British Association of Art Therapists – Registered Member