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:: Biography :: | Featured Works
David displayed artistic talent from a very early age and spent most of his spare time at
school and at home drawing and sketching.
Unaware of his ability, he studied agriculture at college and later went out in the field
as a farm machinery representative. During this time he suffered injuries to his knee
whilst demonstrating a tractor and was hospitalised for four months. It was here that
David turned his attention once more to drawing. He then progressed to painting as he
spent another twelve weeks off work recovering. When he resumed work, he treated his art
as a hobby until 1968. Encouraged by sales and the interest in his work, he left the
tractor firm and travelled for five years around Australia painting as he went.
David Mackay Harrison's versatility can be seen throughout his work in all media. He is
one of a select group in Australia who is as proficient in watercolours and pastel as he
is in oils and acrylic. His forte lies in landscape and architectural works, although his
figurative, wildlife and portraiture studies have drawn wide acclaim. (He was a finalist
in the 1990 Moran Portrait Prize.) David has been classified as one of the most promising
of Australia's realist painters.
David has now established his name in the field of sculpture, having trained under such
noted artists as Frederick Cheapeaux and Frank Lambert, he comes well credentialed in
this, his latest medium. His limited edition bronzes have earned much praise from his
peers and are now well sought after pieces.
Wherever possible David uses live models. He starts by moulding in clay with continual
refinement to achieve the technical precision for which he is noted. From the clay
original, he then utilises the ancient art of 'Lost Wax Casting' to produce the finished
article. His sculptures are often highly tactile causing you to reach out and touch.
Apart from many private commissions, both in Australia and overseas, David has completed
works for many companies in the corporate sector including: The Hornibrook Company,
Portland Wool Brokers and the NSW Department of Agriculture. |
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