David Swales

Currently on the road.

Author, poet and mixed-media artist DJ Swales was born in West Belfast, during the civil war of “The Troubles”. Threats of violence forced him and his teenage mother into exile. He grew up in Germany, Cyprus and England – and moved to Amarillo and Singapore before his 20th birthday. This early transience cemented DJ’s fate as a ‘third culture’ tumbleweed – living in 12 countries and 3 American states. He has worked in jobs and locales as varied as factory lines, Las Vegas casinos, Namdaemun, Fortnum & Masons, gem trading, Changi airport, construction labouring, Wall Street, Paris Fashion Week, and collecting windblown trash at a city dump. All while finding time to paint and write.

Self-taught.
Worked in Central St. Martins School of Art and Design

SOLO EXHIBITIONS


"A Fleeting Rehabilitation", Louisiana, Texas & Mexico, 2013.

Wabi-sabi inspired, signed, limited edition photography from recent projects through the Islamic World was posted in abandoned buildings from the New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward through the Texas Gulf Coast, to drug cartel-affected Reynosa, Mexico.

"David Swales- Selected Works", Whitebox Gallery, Manila, 2009

Featured Artist- The West Coast Art and Frame Show, Las Vegas, 2009

Insitu Installation, HSBC Private Bank, Manila, 2008-2009

The Living Gallery, Cole & Garret (as featured in NY Times), New York, 2008-2009

Recent Works from the Philippines, Renaissance Hotel, Manila, 2008

Featured Artist- The West Coast Art and Frame Show, Las Vegas, 2008

"David Swales- Recent Works", Kanvas Gallery, Chelsea, New York, 2006

"Wabi-sabi Explored- Reflections of Recent Travels", AFP Galleries, Madison Avenue, New York, 2006

Insitu Installation, The Arcadia, New York (in association with Sunshine Group), 2005-2006

"Recent Works from London and New York", Mona Gallery, New York, 2005


SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

"Art for Change", Maxine Green Gallery, New York, 2013

"10 by 12", Galleria Fernando Artes, Manila, 2009

"The ...