Résumé

David Rycroft is exhibiting paintings in two series at present. The first, a series of abstract paintings alludes to the Romanticism of Turner and Friedrich and to the abstract expressionism of Rothko. However, the dynamism and natural elegance of Zen calligraphy is, in fact, closer to David Rycroft's approach. The second series, oil paintings of panoramic landscapes, draws inspiration from the Post-Impressionism of Cézanne and the classical landscape tradition. The two series are linked by a vision of creating deep, expansive pictorial space combined with a vibrant, luminous play of colour. The inseparability of spaciousness and luminosity gives these paintings a spiritual dimension which leads Midi Libre, the leading newspaper in Southern France, to describe them as evoking a 'great impression of serenity'.

Vibrant Space (2008) oil on card 58 x 36 cm

Solo Exhibitions and Art Competitions

2007

• Solo Exhibition - Prieuré, St. Michel de Grandmont

• shortlisted for the Celeste Art Prize, London: top 40 in on-line vote.
• Solo Exhibition - Spitz Gallery, Commercial St., London E1
• group show Stark Gallery, Canterbury CT1 2QB, UK
• group show "A Breath of Fresh Air : New Artists for Cambridge" Byard Art, Cambridge, UK

2006

• Solo Exhibition - Espace Clamery, Octon, France
• Solo Exhibition - Tourist Office, Lodève, France
• Solo Exhibition - Galerie Soleil Bleu, Grande Rue, Lodève, France

• Solo Exhibition - Spitz Gallery, Commercial St., London E1
• group show "A Breath of Fresh Air : New Artists for Cambridge" Byard Art, Cambridge, UKK
• group show "European Art 2006" Maison des Relations Internationales, Montpellier, France

2005

• Solo Exhibition - Halle Dardé, Lodève, France

David Rycroft’s paintings evoke the surrounding natural beauty of the Hérault.

• Solo Exhibition - Galerie Soleil Bleu, Grande Rue, Lodève, France
• Solo Exhibition - Spitz Gallery, Commercial St., London E1
  

1995 Singer & Friedlander / Sunday Times Watercolour Competition, The Mall Galleries, London


Sunday Times
Watercolour Competition


1994 Solo Exhibition - Bury St. Edmunds Cathedral, Suffolk

1993 Spectator Art Award, Christie's, London

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Spectator Art Award


1992 Laing Landscape Competition, The Mall Galleries, London


Laing Landscape Competition


1990 BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, London


BP Portrait Award



Art Teaching

1997 - 2005 Art Teacher at an inner-city girls' secondary school, London
Set Design - External Exam Moderator - Sixth Form Tutor
1993-94 Artist-in-Residence at Culford School, Suffolk


Education

2002-05 Distance-learning MA in Buddhist Philosophy (Distinction), University of Sunderland
1996-97 PGCE in Art and Design, Institute of Education, University of London
1989-93 MA in History of Art (grade 2:1), University of Edinburgh
1983-88 Music scholar, Eton College