David Spencer is a compelling contemporary artist whose work explores the depths of human emotion with striking authenticity. Growing up in Australia’s North West during the 1970s, he draws from personal experience to create art that is both introspective and universally resonant. His rising prominence is reflected in recent accolades, including being named a finalist for the City of Stirling Art Award (2025), National Contemporary Art Prize (2024) and the Mid West Art Prize (2023).
With a prolific career spanning 18 solo exhibitions and over 60 group shows, Spencer has established himself as a dynamic and dedicated creative voice. Beyond the canvas, his practice encompasses public art installations, commercial collaborations, and creative consultancy, showcasing his adaptability across disciplines. What distinguishes his work is its raw emotional power - whether through bold, energetic compositions or subtle, contemplative pieces, his mastery of colour, texture, and movement leaves a lasting impression.
Spencer’s artistic curiosity knows no bounds. He effortlessly shifts between oils, mixed-media sculptures, and immersive installations, embracing experimentation to keep his practice vibrant and evolving. This fearless approach allows him to engage audiences in unexpected ways, forging deep connections through his art.
His works have found homes in prestigious collections, including the Victor Smorgon Collection (NSW) and the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Collection (WA), a testament to their broad emotional resonance. Each piece invites viewers into a dialogue about shared human experiences, transcending cultural and geographic divides.
At his core, David Spencer is an artist who thrives on innovation and risk-taking, constantly redefining his craft to capture the complexities of life. Through his visionary work, he challenges us to see the world anew, celebrating the transformative power of art.
My life so far
Born Dampier, Western Australia, 12th of November 1974
Lives and works in Fremantle, Western Australia
1991-94 Completed Diploma of Fine Arts, Central College of Tafe, Perth
1986-91 Completed “Special Art Program”, Applecross SHS, Perth
Solo exhibitions
2025 “Pentimento”, 35 High Gallery, Fremantle
2023 “Coalesce”, Bar Loiter, Subiaco
2021 “Residence”, Old Customs House, Fremantle
2019 “Somatosensory”, Wills Domain, Yallingup
2018 "Mirror", dual solo exhibition with Margaret Heenan, Gallows Gallery, Mosman Park
2018 "Slow days, fast years", Robert Oately Winery, Margaret River
2016 "Made you look", Black Brewing, Margaret River
2016 "The reason for flowers", Gallows Gallery, Mosman Park
2014 “This is how I feel”, Gallows Gallery, Mosman Park
2014 “Traverse”, Hay Shed Hill, Margaret River
2012 “Everything so far”, Buratti Fine Art, Fremantle
2011 “Redux”, 19Karen Gallery, Gold Coast
2010 “David Spencer Vs Johnny Romeo”, United Galleries, Perth
2009 “Tourist”, United Galleries, Perth
2008 “There’s a ghost in me”, United Galleries, Sydney
2008 “32,000 days”, United Galleries, Perth
2006 “Finding Emily”, Code Red Art, Fremantle
2004 First one man show, “Spencertive”, Hudson Gallery, Perth
Collections
Melissa Juneau Collection (USA)
Victor Smorgon Collection (NSW)
Ronald McDonald House (WA)
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Collection (WA)
Central College of Tafe (WA)
Various private collections worldwide
Awards | Acknowledgments
2025, Finalist, City of Stirling Art Award
2024, Finalist, National Contemporary Art Prize
2024, Long listed, Homiens Art Prize
2023 Finalist, Mid West Art Prize
2023 Finalist, Georges River Art Prize
2022 Finalist, Perth Royal Art Prize
2021 Finalist, Art Lovers Australia Prize
2016 Acknowledged, "Artist of the Day" by Saatchi Art Online (Worldwide)
2014 Awarded, selected to represent Australia in the McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Campaign (USA)
2013 Finalist, SCGH Biennial Art Award
2012 Awarded, Artlike Competition, CAL Australia
2012 Finalist, Black Swan Portrait Prize
2008 Finalist, Artitude - YAWA Exhibition, Crown Metropol
2007 Selected for Avant Card [Finding Emily]
1989 Merit Award, City of Melville Art Awards
Percent for art | Commercial commissions | Creative consultancy
2025 Artist,
Budget $144,000, Shoreline, PARC delveopments / Harris Jenkins Architects
North Coogee
2025 Artist,
Budget $3,000, Rottnest Island Authority (RIA), Wadjemup Museum Sculpture Garden
Wadjemup / Rottnest Island
2022 Artist,
Budget $150,000, Little Lane, Yolk Property Group / Harris Jenkins Architects
City of Fremantle
2020 Creative consultant and artist,
Budget $500,000, Woodside, Hall & Prior / Kerry Hill Architects
East Fremantle
2020 Creative consultant and artist,
Budget $9,000, Lalla Rookh / Benson Studio
Perth
2019 Creative consultant and artist,
Budget $12,000, Dilly Dally / Benson Studio
Subiaco
2019 Artist,
Budget $2,000, Basket Ball Court / Phase Three Landscaping
Victoria Park
2019 Creative consultant and artist,
Budget $20,000, Freo Social / Benson Studio
City of Fremantle
2018 Creative consultant,
Budget $10,000, Otherside Brew House / Benson Studio
Myaree
2018 Artist,
Budget $18,000, Kings Square / Sirona Capital
City of Fremantle
2017 Artist,
Budget $19,500, Eliza Ponds / Sandtracks Design
City of Cockburn
2017 Artist,
Budget $5,800, Aloft Hotel / Design Theory
City of Belmont
2016 Artist,
Budget $7,000, "LDV Commercial" / Lou Di Virgilio
City of Rockingham
2015 Artist,
Budget $7,000, Ronald McDonald House / Gerry Kho architect
City of Nedlands
2015 Shortlisted artist,
Budget $100,000, "DoubleTree Hotel" (Hilton) / Design Inc Architect
City of Fremantle
2014 Shortlisted artist,
Budget $55,000, “Icon”, Greenhaven / Tim Bloomfield Architect
City of Vincent
2014 Artist,
Budget $9,000, McDonalds FIFA World Cup campaign / Market Store
McDonalds Corp (USA)
Selected group exhibitions
2024 “Cossack Art Awards”, Cossack, Karratha
2024 “FA@H”, Hale, Wembley Downs
2023 “FA@H”, Hale, Wembley Downs
2021 “Setting the tone”, Art Marx Gallery, Fremantle
2021 “Vibrance”, Art Marx Gallery, Fremantle
2021 “Lifeline Group Exhibition”, Juniper Galleries, Darlington
2019 “St Brigid’s 90th Anniversary Art Exhibition”, St Brigid’s, Lesmurdie
2019 “Art Aviso Event 1.0", No Vacancy Gallery QV, Melbourne
2019 “Creatives collide”, Larry Cherubino Winery, Margaret River
2018 “Undercurrent", Moores Contemporary Gallery, Fremantle
2016 "The Other Art Fair", Commune, Sydney
2016 "A Stray Alien", Moores Contemporary Gallery, Fremantle
2016 "Reunion", Temple of the Muse, Northbridge
2016 "Painting 2016", Brunswick Street Gallery, Brunswick
2016 "Creative Circles", JShed, Fremantle
2015 "40 x 40", Brunswick Street Gallery, Brunswick
2015 "A Christmas Feast", Gallows Gallery, Mosman Park
2015 "Party", Studio 2, Leederville
2015 "Public Salon", FORM, Victoria Park
2014 “AOHF", Private home, Fremantle
2014 “On show”, ARI, Swanbourne
2014 “PAWA Contemporary Print Awards”, Moores Gallery, Fremantle
2014 “Cause & Affect”, Brand X Artist Space, Central Park One, Chippendale
2014 “Un/Masked”, Moores Gallery, Fremantle
2013 “Sir Charles Gairdner Biennial Art Award”, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands
2013 “The Figure”, Buratti Fine Art, Fremantle
2012 “Black Swan Portrait Exhibition”, Linton & Kay, Perth
2012 “Toyota Community Spirit Exhibition”, TCS Gallery, Melbourne
2011 “Wool Stories”, Wool Stores Building, Fremantle
2011 “Buratti Fine Artists”, Buratti Fine Art, Fremantle
2011 “Clothes Peg Project”, Perth
2010 “Make Friend III”, Norfolk Basement, Fremantle
2009 “30 x 40”, United Galleries, Sydney
2008 “Unwrapped”, United Galleries, Perth
2007 “Unwrapped”, United Galleries, Perth
2005 “Affordable Art Show”, Carlton Gardens, Melbourne
2004 “Roll out the carpet”, Yallingup Galleries, Perth
1994 “At least one eye”, Graduate exhibition, Perth
Curation | Charity | Community participation
2023 Cossack Art Awards, Judge, Bond Store, Karratha
2019 Amnesty International, Moores Contemporary Gallery, Fremantle
2019 "MLC Art Exhibition 2019", MLC, Claremont
2018 “Beats for bravery” by Amnesty International, Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
2018 “Art for Epilepsy”, On-line auction
2017 "Mt Lawley HS Art Auction", Mt Lawley High School, Mt Lawley
2017 "MLC Art Exhibition 2017", MLC, Claremont
2017 "32nd Annual Art Exhibition, Perth College, Leederville
2016 "The State Collection", CAN Support Arts, PSAS, Fremantle
2015 "Secret Walls Vs Fabcar" Judge, Light Up Leederville, Leederville
2015 "Cystic Fibrosis Charity", Woodside Plaza, Perth
2015 "The art of dining" (Camp Quality), Rockpool, Perth
2015 "Mt Lawley HS Art Auction", Mt Lawley High School, Mt Lawley
2015 Canning Vale College, Art extensions, Art tutor Y11-Y12
2014 Canning Vale College, Art extensions, Art tutor Y8-Y10
2014 “Nedlands Emerging Art Awards” Judge, Nedlands
2014 “Spring Unveiled”, Hyatt Regency, Perth
2014 “Artitude”, Crown Metropol, Perth
2013 “Amnesty International Group Exhibition”, Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
2012 “Amnesty International Group Exhibition”, Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
2012 “Inspired by” [Opening speech], Moores Contemporary Gallery, Fremantle
2011 “Make Friend VII” [curated], Norfolk Basement, Fremantle
2007 “Celebriart” [with Alicia Gorey], Crown Metropol, Perth
2007 “Great deck chair auction”, Deck Chair Theatre, Fremantle
2006 “Great deck chair auction”, Deck Chair Theatre, Fremantle
Collaborations
Fremantle Social Hall
Aloft Hotel
Xanadu Wines
Otherside Brewing Co
Black Brewing Co
TOMS Shoes
McDonalds
OTIS Eyewear
Relative Magazine
Publications
2008 "Spencertive - The Art of David Spencer", by Buratti Fine Art
Broadcast
George Negus Tonight (ABCTV)
Blackswan Portraiture Prize Interview
Gallery Watch (WTV)
Artwork leased to
Clarity Communications
The Wealth Designers
Benson Studio
Hair Collective
OX Design Studio
Perth Style Co
Humphrey Homes
Riverstone Homes
Sunshine Harvester Works
Boards
Chair, Artsource (Artist Foundation of WA) 2021 - 2024