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Gallery Artist: david gonville
about the artist
David Gonville is an emerging Rhode Island based contemporary artist. His work explores ocean patterns, surface textures, and micro-systems from a surfer’s perspective. His imagery reflects the convergence of marine geology with current weather systems of the Atlantic Ocean.
The compositions that emerge in Gonville’s work reference personal experiences in the unpredictable coastal environment of the Atlantic Ocean where he surfs all year. Gonville transcribes his experiences of changing weather patterns, open space, peaceful environments and mindfulness into his work. He paints to convey this connection with the ocean and the elements around him. Through his process of exploring the intersection of climate and the coast, he strives to highlight the importance of preserving one of our most precious natural resources - The Ocean.
Gonville has collaborated on several projects with New York City performance artist, Maura Nguyen Donohue on immersive, interactive installations focused on the destructive presence of plastic pollution in our oceans.
He is the co-founder of Nami Studios, a design consultancy, since 2001. His encaustics and mixed media work can be found in collections around the world and in galleries from Cape Cod to the Highline in New York City. He proudly lives with his wife and two children in his native Rhode Island (USA).
artist's statement
Gonville’s deconstruction is not a demolition of beauty, instead it is a “breaking down” or analysis of beauty on the shores of the Atlantic to discover its true significance. Each painting captures a moment in time from a surfer’s perspective.Using power tools instead of paint brushes, Gonville’s work is deconstructed to reveal hidden layers of glimmer, texture, or color, capturing a moment in time from a surfer’s perspective.
Shows
2018
The Curator Gallery. Chelsea, NYCRye Art Gallery. Rye, NY
Jeff Soderbergh Gallery. Wellfleet, MA
Coastal Contemporary Gallery. Newport, RI
Candita Clayton Gallery. Hope Artiste Village, Pawtucket, RI
Boston Design Center. Boston, MA
Sakonnet Art Collective. Four Corners, Tiverton,RI
2017
The Curator Gallery. Chelsea, NYC
Tides Project: Drowning Planet. LaMama ETC, NYC
Rye Art Gallery. Rye, NY
Jeff Soderbergh Gallery. Wellfleet, MA
Candita Clayton Gallery Hope Artiste Village, Pawtucket, RI
Boston Design Center, Boston, MA
Sakonnet Art Collective. Four Corners, Tiverton,RI
2016
The Curator Gallery. Chelsea, NYC
Jeff Soderbergh Gallery. Wellfleet, MA
Sakonnet Art Collective. Four Corners, Tiverton,RI
Bluewater. Barrington, RI
Simone's. Warren, RI
2015
Jeff Soderbergh Gallery. Wellfleet, MA
Sakonnet Art Collective. Four Corners, Tiverton,RI
Tides Project: North Pacific Gyre (aka "trash vortex”). Soaking WET (West End Theater) NYC
Huxter. Featured Artist - Watch Hill, RI
Bluewater. Barrington, RI
Simone's. Warren, RI
2014
Sakonnet Art Collective. Four Corners, Tiverton,RI
Tides Project: Euphotic. Estrogenius Festival - 4th Street Theater, NYC
Huxter. Featured Artist - Watch Hill, RI
Bluewater. Barrington, RI
Simone's. Warren, RI
2013 - Roulette. Zero-to-Sixty - New York, NY
2012
Top Hat Gallery. Christiansted, St. Croix USVI
B4BC. Boarding for Breast Cancer - Unsound Surf. Long Beach, NY .
2011 - The Sunnyside. Warren, RI
2010
The Surfrider Foundation. Ripple Art Effecting Oceans -Washington, DC
The Stonehouse. Little Compton, RI
The Drift Gallery. Portsmouth, NH
2009
The Hive Gallery. Cape Ann, MA
The Stonehouse. Little Compton, RI
Yes Gallery. Warren, RI
Yes Gallery. Block Island, RI
2008
Imago Gallery, Featured Artist. Warren, RI
Yes Gallery. Lovesick/Seasick - Warren RI
Exhibits
The Curator Gallery - Chelsea , NYC
Rye Art Gallery - Westchester - NY
J S Gallery - Wellfleet - CapeCod
The Sakonnett Collective - Four Corners, Riverton
Cutler Mills - Warren, RI
Education
Marine Affairs - University of Rhode Island
Graphic Design at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth