Cape Town based artist Dave Robertson has been producing artwork and exhibiting since the mid 90’s. Initially known for his photographic work, he has exhibited at several galleries in Germany, USA, the Netherlands and South Africa.
Robertson spent the early part of his journey as a visual artist, in the film industry, freelancing as an art director. In between film projects he followed his passion for photography, which was primarily a form of social commentary, often concerned with documenting marginalised lifestyles.
Artist biography
After winning a national prize at the Spier Contemporary competition in 2010, for ‘Paper trails’ a documentary project focusing on informal recyclers in Newtown, Johannesburg, he took a break from both photography and the film industry and began to teach himself to paint.
From the artist
“I consider myself a versatile visual artist who feels happiest when pushing the limits of my creative process, whether it be expressionist photography, abstract painting or printmaking. My work is often concerned with the in-between spaces which are not immediately apparent but can be found just under the ‘skin’ of the perceived physical world. A place where fact and fiction, objectivity and subjectivity join hands in a magical dance. Where our so-called physical reality seemingly invites aspects of the metaphysical world to show themselves in the work.”
