“Art that lives in colour, texture, and memory.”
David Spencer is a West Australian abstract artist based in Fremantle working across painting, sculpture, and public art. Creating contemporary art for over 30 years, Spencer draws inspiration from memory, travel, and the landscapes of Western Australia, his works combine bold colour, layered textures, and instinctive composition. With 18 solo exhibitions, more than 60 group shows, and major public art commissions to his name, Spencer creates art that engages the eye and stirs emotion.
Featured artworks
2025
Mixed media on board
72cm x 84cm
Finalist in the City of Stirling Art Award, 2025
Our family went on a big caravanning trip to the North West of Australia. We stopped at heaps of places along the way, one of them was Pink Lake. It’s a pretty amazing colour bomb for your eyes.
I never know where my next painting will find its inspiration, but vivid memories like this are the perfect beginning. After all, who could resist a lake that’s unapologetically like pink milk?
2023
Mixed media on canvas
163cm x 204cm [Redux]
Painting at Nathan Day Gallery, Margaret River
The day before we left on on 2 week caravanning trip, Leo caught Covid. So the drive up to Exmouth was pretty special to say the least. We all ended up with it, but Oscar was completely asymptomatic and Leo wouldn’t care if his leg was missing. Nothing would keep him still, especially riding his bike.
Exmouth and Ningaloo was amazing and a story for another day, but it was on the way back we stopped in Kalbarri. One evening we grabbed some beers, local fish and chips (which was surprisingly very average) and headed to Pot Alley. A recommended spot for twilight.
I loved watching the huge slow moving waves bash the coast line. The warm evening gave that extra sensory lift as the stunning sunset colours varnished the rocky cliff face. So many contrasts and contours. I really love rugged Western Australia.
We sat for a while taking it in.
2026
Mixed media on canvas
120cm x 120cm [Redux]
Guess what ‘Petrichor’ means? “…the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil.”
How lovely to know there’s a name for that sensory experience. So this was a ‘redux’ where I decide t go over an old painting - because why not? I had some paints ready from another piece I was working on and these were new colours I never really use. Metallic coppers and shining, almost like nail polish purples. They all paired well with my usual suspects of spay paint, rich oils, shellac and charcoal.
The title nails the reminiscence of first rain, as the earthy ochres and brown really make this piece settle into that memory.
The painting looks like it was made in the 70s, which is pretty awesome. Oh, and there’s some dragon fly wings on there too!