Featured Artist Dave Behrens

Australian artist Dave Behren incorporates bold symbolism and pattern in his distinctive signature portfolio. Visit his website to see more of his work.

 

 

I started painting in 2002 and experimented with a number of different mediums and styles, trying to establish what I wanted to convey in my work.

 

 

Settling on abstract subject matter, I fired up my creative juices and explored the unlimited potential of my creative output. I love the flexibility of using acrylic paint. It provides me with the ability to create textures and layers within my works.

 

 

I’m influenced by pop culture, science fiction, symbology and ancient civilizations. Like the ancients who used their artistic expression to identify who they were, I create in my unique way to show the world my identity as an artist.

 

 

I travelled to Egypt and was inspired by their hieroglyphs. I was fascinated by the fact that this was their form of communication. This theme is always at the centre of my painting process when creating new works.

 

 

My intention is primarily to create artworks that are positive and uplifting, through the use of vibrant and energetic colours and familiar symbology.

 

 

I like to reimagine a world that is reliant on interpreting my artworks to gain insight to who I am. I use vibrant colours and patterns to express my ideas of self-identity. My intention is to grab the viewers’ attention, allowing them to interpret my work as they see it.

 

 

My primary form of mark-making and pattern forming comes from dispensing acrylic paint in small 60 ml bottles. I have been using this technique for nearly twenty years, and it gives my work a very tactile surface.

 

 

I also like to paint on 3-dimensional objects, such as urban designer toys from the USA company Kidrobot. This gives another unique aspect to my style.

 

 

I have exhibited my work in Australia (Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne) and in the United States (New York).

 

 

My work is in private collections in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and the United States as well as in corporate collections at the Ronald McDonald House in Brisbane, Australia.

 

Artist Dave Behrens invites you to follow him on Instagram.

 

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