David Austen

DAVID AUSTEN (Harlow, Essex, 1960).
"Huckleberry Finn," 1989.
Oil on canvas.
Signed and dated on the back.
Measurements: 40,5 x 35,5 cm.

This work belongs to an early stage of David Austen. The title "Huckleberry Finn" refers to the character created by Mark Twain (the novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"), whose idealistic personality has become popular to refer to the tendency of certain people to shirk responsibilities as a child would. David Austen refers metaphorically and ironically to idealistic and fickle childishness by deforming the perfect circle formed by the 12 golden stars on the flag of the European Union, turning it into a kind of teardrop.

A painter, sculptor, printmaker and filmmaker, David Austen's language borrows influence from film noir and 19th century literature. As a painter, he has focused primarily on linen canvas, subtle color work and experimentation with gouache on paper surfaces, as well as creating etchings that recall his experience as a draughtsman. A graduate of the Royal College of Art (1985), Austen has exhibited extensively over the past 30 years. Solo shows include exhibitions at Matt's Gallery, London (2018), David Totah Gallery, New York (2018), Museo d'Arte Contemporanea di Cogliandrino, Basilicata, Modern Art Oxford (2010) or Ingleby Gallery, Edinburgh (2009), among others. His work has been presented in important international group projects and is in collections such as the Tate Gallery in London, the British Council, the Arts Council England and the Government Art Collection.