David Bongiorno
Artist’s Statement
These artworks are a search to capture the essence of movement in a static image.
I have worked extensively with dancer Fiona Jopp in live performances. These experiences spawned these pieces; working in the studio from masses of practice sketches, live performance drawings, video, and stills footage.
Using a Chinese calligraphy brush and ink to express the fluid movement of dance has led me on a journey with a new drawing medium.
The discipline of practice, a sound understanding of anatomy and proportional relationships, and the courage to trust the process are necessary to achieve these outcomes.
With drawing as my primary practice (and my focus and inspiration being to capture the figure's potential for beauty in form and function) I find brush and ink the prime hybrid medium between drawing and painting, allowing for perfect expression.
Biography
David Bongiorno is an award-winning artist. He has participated in solo and group exhibitions in venues including Brunswick Gallery, The Cooroy Arts Centre, Manning Gallery, Maryborough Gallery, Caloundra Gallery, Cardinia Cultural Centre. He has undertaken commissions, with works in private and public collections.
David has participated in local and national art prizes including “Emerging Wearable Artist Winner” at the Australian Wearable Art Festival 2022, "Highly Commended" at the Waterbrook Drawing Prize 2023, and “Highly Commended” at the Lethbridge 20,000 Small Scale Art Award 2024. He has arts curating, teaching and mentoring experience.
David teaches a series of drawing and composition workshops to develop contemporary artists' confidence.
Awards
2024 The Agency Still Life Prize, Finalist, Bowral Art Gallery, Bowral, NSW
2024 Lethbridge 20,000 Small Scale Art Prize, Finalist, Highly Commended,
Brisbane, Qld
2023 Australian Wearable Art Festival, Finalist, Sunshine Coast, Qld
2023 Mary Valley Art Festival, Finalist, Imbil, Qld
2023 “Fifty Squared” art prize, Finalist, Brunswick Gallery, Brunswick, Vic
2023 Waterbrook Drawing Prize, Finalist, Highly Commended, Bowral Art Gallery,
Bowral, NSW
2022 Australian Wearable Art Festival, finalist, Winner- Best Emerging Wearable
Artist award Sunshine Coast, Qld
2022 Small Works Art Prize, participating artist, Brunswick Street Gallery,
Melbourne
2015 Manning Art Prize: Naked and Nude, finalist, Manning Regional Art Gallery,
Taree, NSW
Exhibitions
Exhibitions
2024 "A Wearable Canvas" exhibition, Cardinia Cultural Centre, Melbourne,
Vic, Participating artist
2023 In Process- Form and Function, Live drawing performance with
contemporary dancer/ choreographer Fiona Jopp and singer/ composer
Tobias Merz, Maleny equestrian arena, Maleny, Qld
2023 “A Wearable Canvas” exhibition, Caloundra Regional Gallery,
Participating artist
2022 In Process, Live drawing performance with contemporary dancer Fiona
Jopp, Maleny Community Centre, Maleny, Qld
2020 ‘Maleny Cream at the Butter Factory’, group exhibition, curator and
participating artist, Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre
2019 “The Magic of Mary Cairncross”, Book launch and exhibition, contributing
artist
2019 ‘Art of the Body’, group exhibition, Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre
2018 ‘Paper 2’, group exhibition, curator and contributing artist, Witta, Qld
2016 ‘New Works by David Bongiorno’, solo exhibition, MAD Gallery, Maleny,
Qld
2014 ‘Vive l’Homme’, group exhibition, Lust for Life Gallery, Fortitude Valley, Qld
2014 Group Exhibition, Gatakers Artspace Regional Gallery, Maryborough, Qld
2013 ‘Torsos II’, solo exhibition, The Upfront Club, Maleny, Qld
2004 ‘Torsos’, solo exhibition, Steps Gallery, Carlton, Vic
Curating, Teaching and Other
2025 McGregor Summer School, USQ, Tutor, "Anatomical Figure Drawing" 5 day
workshop
Teaching, Curating and Other
2024 Bienarte Art School, Brisbane Campus, Tutor, 2 day life drawing workshop
2024 Kenilworth Art Prize, Judge, Kenilworth Arts Fest 2024, Qld
2024 McGregor Summer School, UniSQ, Tutor, "Anatomical Figure Drawing" 7
Day Workshop
2023 Life Drawing 3 Hour Workshop series- Hands, Feet, Heads, Arms, Legs,
The Joy Collective, Maleny
2023 McGregor Winter School, USQ, Tutor, “Anatomical Figure Drawing” 5 day
workshop
2023 McGregor Winter School, USQ, panel participant, “Art Business- What it
takes to be an artist”
2023 Open Studios Sunshine Coast, participating artist
2023 Costume drawing workshop, Caloundra Regional Gallery, Workshop
Facilitator, Calloundra, Qld
2023 “A Wearable Canvas Exhibition” Opening, Exhibiting Artist Speech for
exhibition opening
Showing all 4 artworks
David Bongiorno
Kinetics
57 x 38 x 2 cm Framed: 83 x 62 x 2 cm Original Brush and Ink $1,300.00
David Bongiorno
Knots
38 x 57 x 2 cm Framed: 64 x 81 x 2 cm Original Brush and Ink $1,300.00
David Bongiorno
Divergence
38 x 57 x 2 cm Framed: 64 x 81 x 2 cm Original Brush and Ink $1,300.00