ENRICO DAVID

His work explores the human form as a metaphor for transformation, often treading the line between figuration and abstraction.

Early Years

Born in 1966 in Ancona, Italy, David moved to London in the late 1980s. He studied at Central St. Martins, describing this period as ‘an incredible self-education. David’s artistic journey was profoundly shaped by witnessing his father’s sudden death at age 17, an event that led him to contemplate ‘the abrupt displacement of consciousness from the body’.

Enrico David Artworks

David’s practice is characterised by a sustained inquiry into the anthropoidal form and the expressive potential of materials. His work often draws from diverse sources, including visual fragments, literary and filmic references, and personal memories.

Early Works

In the 1990s, David gained recognition for his large-scale embroidered portraits using sewn canvases. Stick of Rock (1999) exemplifies this period, exploring tensions between identity and performance.

Sculptural Developments

David’s sculptural works often originate from drawings, which he develops in modeling wax or clay before casting in bronze or polymer plaster. This iterative process involves repurposing and reconfiguring molds, resulting in forms that blur the lines between figuration and abstraction.

Recent Works

In recent years, David has focused on sculpture in various media while returning to traditional painting methods. His work continues to explore psychological and inner conditions of contemporary human beings, as seen in pieces like Madreperlage (2003) and Ultra Paste (2007).

Awards and Accolades

David was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 2009. In 2019, he represented Italy at the 58th Venice Biennale, presenting the work Tutto il Resto Spegnere.

Exhibitions

Enrico David has been the subject of both solo and group exhibitions. Solo exhibitions include Head Gas at the New Museum, New York (2011); Repertorio Ornamentale at Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa, Venice (2011); and a major retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the Hirshhorn Museum, Washington, DC (2019).

Group exhibitions include The Encyclopedic Palace at the 55th Venice Biennale (2013).

Anna Dickie | Ocula | 2025