David Kirk resides in Leichhardt, Sydney, where he paints in his studio located in a historic millinery building from 1908.
His choice to exhibit at Inner West galleries such as Scratch Art Space, Marrickville, and Shop Gallery in Glebe stems from their roles as vibrant venues that foster community engagement and artistic dialogue. He aspires to be recognized as an artist of Sydney’s inner west.
David Kirk’s artistic journey has found inspiration in the coastal landscape, particularly around the South Coast of NSW particularly Merimbula and the Central Coast. He is a resident of the Innerwest Sydney which has of late become a great source of inspiration.
“Walking my dogs on the beach, I observed Lion island and Broken Bay’s headlands. The changing light and landscape were extraordinary. Lion Island became ‘The Black Lion’ and Mt Ettalong ‘The Buffalo’. I noted the colors and feelings in the bay and painted with what Chinese painters call ‘great verve’: no hesitation!”
Rediscovering Inner Verve…
During a trip to Beijing, Kirk rediscovered the Eastern concept of the ‘Artist’s Inner Verve’ at a calligraphy studio, emphasizing fluent and authentic painting.
“To paint fluently, back yourself, know your intent, and let your energy flow with the paint. No over-painting like an old Westerner!”
Spiritual Essence in Landscape
Kirk’s recent works depict landscapes rich with spiritual essence, presenting visual poems that reflect a profound interaction between mind and nature. They embody immediacy and freshness, revealing beauty and complexity.
Bay of Fires Series
Kirk’s paintings draw forms and colors from nature, blending light, color, and space.
“I was deeply moved by the Bay of Fires it felt heavenly and serene, like walking across the sky.This experience shaped my paintings’ mood and style.”
Since then, David has applied this method to create works inspired by other coastal areas such as Byron Bay, Suffolk Park, and Merimbula, capturing the vibrancy of dusk and moonlight in his expressive, colour compositions.
Kirk majored in Painting and Drawing at the City Art Institute Sydney Australia from 1982 to 1984. His first solo exhibition was held in1991 at the Julie Green Gallery Sydney. Since then he has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions.
Kirk works in his own painting studio, a former millinery in Leichhardt in Sydney’s Inner West, making the Shop Gallery on Glebe Point Road a perfect venue for his show.
The Shop Gallery facilitates connection between the artists and public of the Inner West and inner city; it also has generous volume and height very similar to his studio where these dynamic works were painted.