David Abse
Artist David Abse has shown in exhibitions all over the world – UK, Japan, Poland, USA, including a picture featured in the BBC TV show The One Show last year.
In search of better air after the fume-filled air of London and the opportunity to focus full-time on painting, drawing and print making, artist David Abse, his wife Kitty and their daughter Jemima moved to the Herault three years ago, where they have settled in Les Matelles, a small medieval village which sits at the foot of the Pic St. Loup, 15 kilometres from Montpellier.
David graduated from Wolverhampton School of Art and Design where he specialised in print making and illustration. After graduating, he worked as a freelance illustrator and designer. However, to support his family he worked in the charity sector until moving to France. Now, in the foothills of the garrigue, with the stunning back drop of the Pic Saint Loup there is inspiration for painting all around: It (Pic Saint Loup) fascinates me, because of its shape, size, the colours it turns in different light, the dramatic shapes it has from different angles….
David has been drawing for as long as he can remember. Son of the celebrated poet Dannie Abse, David continues to follow his own creative path through his painting and drawing. He was and is inspired by his late grandfather, who went to art school every day for thirty years after retiring as a shop steward in the Pilkingtons’ glassworks in St. Helens. He died, writes David, over 20 years ago, aged 99, still a communist, determined not to get a telegram from the queen.
David is clear about the influence of his left wing politics in his work. The style and approach of the work however is diverse and cannot be succinctly packaged under a neat heading. Sitting in his atelier and gallery in Les Matelles looking at the energetic lines and colours of some of the canvases displayed, words like ‘colourist’, ‘abstract impressionist’ spring to mind. But then his wonderful, zingy drawings of animals bear out another side, confirming his skill as an illustrator and technician. When asked whether he thinks his diversity is a hindrance he simply replies, I like diversity. May be it’s a hindrance, but I like it. He is in his atelier six days a week; sometimes he arrives with specific projects in mind, other times he says he feels that he is still learning and does not want to let go of the urge to ‘play’ and allows that nagging creative urge to find its own way.
More on David Abse and his work can be found by visiting his website