David Boyd
Select Works Archive
David Boyd 'Children In The Forest', 1998
David Boyd 'Children in the Garden'
David Boyd 'Untitled (Beach Series)', 1978
David Boyd 'Untitled, from Europa and The Wombat Series', 2002
David Boyd
(1924 - 2011)
David Boyd was born in 1924 in Murrumbeena – a suburb of Melbourne – as the youngest son of five siblings. The Boyd family, through Boyd’s grandparents’, parents’ and siblings’ efforts, would become famous for their significant impact on Australian culture. Boyd was interested in a variety of art forms from his early childhood, including painting, drawing and pottery – thanks to his father Merric’s fruitful career as a talented potter. However, for the first part of his life he primarily focused on developing his musical talents as a pianist. At the age of 17 he started studies at the Melba Conservatorium of Music, which he interrupted to serve in the Australian army during World War II one year later. Post-war, Boyd tried to refocus his attention on music, but eventually felt himself return to painting and ceramics. Marrying his wife Hermia Lloyd-Jones in 1949 and partnering up with her to start a pottery business, first in Australia, then in England, resulted in the couple gaining recognition for their unique artistic approach and contemporary style. It was not until the late 1950s that Boyd actively pursued an artistic career as a painter. Boyd primarily worked in series that delved into themes of human struggle, often reflecting on societal injustices, exploring topics such as innocence and destruction under colonial histories. Though initially not gaining the same recognition as for example his brother Arthur, Boyd’s kaleidoscopic use of colour and figurative style, eventually led to his widespread critical and public acclaim. In 1959, Boyd made a statement against abstractionism by signing the Antipodean Manifesto, marking a significant moment in his career. After years in Europe, Boyd returned to Australia permanently in 1971 with Hermia and their three daughters, leaving an indelible mark on the country's artistic landscape.
Fill in the form below to stay up to date with new works and exhibitions by this artist.