About me

I have always been interested in form and colour, and originally began with wheel-thrown ceramics, including evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art where I exhibited with other students.

Subsequently I took up painting, with a preference for oils and watercolour, and later moved into sculpture. I have worked in plastic materials: clay, wax and plaster, but now produce carved sculptures in predominantly stone – from the UK and Zimbabwe – and wood, including West African hardwood and English green oak.

My current sculptural work has a strong figurative theme around the human form, where I try to express movement or emotional energy in different contexts. The inspiration of some of my recent sculptures has been infused by the energy that I experience from open swimming in ponds and the sea.

One catalyst for this was my Artist in Studio Residence in Brisons Veor, Cape Cornwall in 2016. I took forward this theme in my Artist’s Residence in Stephens House & Gardens in 2017 where my carvings from large greenwood oak trunks was inspired by African, MesoAmerican and Oceanic art.

I make my own watercolour paints from basic pigments including lapis lazuli, carmine, aurileon, viridian, Japanese ink stick and metals. Another medium that I use is egg tempera, of course with pigments, and gilded with gold and silver leaf and paint. Metalpoint (silver and gold) is another medium that I like to use – all ‘mistakes’ are features!

I am a printmaker, with activities in intaglio (drypoint, mezzotint, burin engraving and acid etching) and relief (linocut reduction, mokuhanga 木版画). I am delighted that my mokuhanga print “Morning Swim” is on show at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2025.

I’m active in photography, including portraying the beauties of Hampstead Heath, where I’m an all year round open water swimmer in the Highgate Men’s Pond.

Born and bred in London, I have previously lived and worked in East Africa and Central America as well as in Scotland.

Instagram: @davidgilbertartist

I am currently a member of

• Islington Art Society