David Drain

The process of creating a finished painting for me is a journey of discovery and a balance between intention and chance, between planned and unplanned, between accident and control.

I strive to capture a high degree of subtlety and mystery in my abstract paintings. This creative challenge nourishes me and satisfies me on many levels, occasionally driving me slightly crazy!

Born in the south of Scotland, David Drain’s studio and home are in a village on the edge of the Black Forest in the South of Germany, close to the Swiss art city of Basel.

The subtle interplay of natural light has always held a fascination for David. Growing up in the Southern Uplands region in Scotland, David experienced the variations in the quality of light and weather on the intensity, subtlety and richness of the landscape.

Ruins of abandoned factories and ancient stone buildings, with their fascinating storied surfaces, crumbling structures, subtle shades of old walls and aged wood, patina and rust have all proved sources of lasting inspiration.

Despite his early interest in art, David studied Engineering at University in Glasgow, living and working across the globe including Switzerland, France, the Middle East, Ukraine, and the UK.
After a successful career he returned to his passion for art, now painting full-time. David is an active member of the Critical Discussion Group Abstraction (CDG) mentored by Bill Porteous and facilitated/moderated by Cheryl Taves as well as an active member of the Cheryl Taves Artist’s Mindset Program Community.
He was also a member of Nicholas Wilton Art2Life Academy from 2017 to 2021.

David has been a full-time artist since 2016.

Please contact curator@saatchiart.com for more details.

MAJOR SOLO EXHIBITION, "ABSTRACT ONLY"
Kulturfabrik, Schopfheim, Germany
26 May - 6 July 2025

SOLO EXHIBITION, "ABSTRACTION"
Museum Römervilla, Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany
10 October - 12 Dezember 2023

SOLO EXHIBITION, "KUNST AM FOYER"
Endress & Hauser, Maulburg, Germany
12 September - 22 November 2023

SOLO EXHIBITION, "ABSTRACT PAINTING"
Kunsthuus Kleines Wiesental, Germany
4 June - 18 August 2023

GROUP EXHIBITION, ARTE BINNINGEN
4-13 November 2022, Binningen, Switzerland.

GROUP EXHIBITION, SWITZERLAND
Frontofbicycle Gallery, Galerie Katapult, Basel
08 - 14 April 2022

LUX EXPO
International Contemporary Art Fair, LUXEMBOURG
Van Gogh Art Gallery
17 - 19 September 2021

GROUP EXHIBITION, PARIS
Galerie Sonia Monti,
October-November 2020

MARBELLA INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR
23 Sept - 3 October 2020, SPAIN
Van Gogh Art Gallery

GROUP EXHIBITION, SPAIN
Artbox Projects, Barcelona, Spain
18-22 March 2020

GROUP EXHIBITION, SWITZERLAND
SwissArtExpo, Zürich, Switzerland
20-24 August 2020

GROUP EXHIBITION, SWITZERLAND
Frontofbicycle Gallery, Voltahhalle, Basel
09 - 11 November 2018

GROUP EXHIBITION, GERMANY
Hebel Museum, Hausen im Wiesental
October 2018

SOLO EXHIBITION, SWITZERLAND
HGP Partners, Basel, Switzerland,
November/ Decembe...