BIOGRAPHY
Whether obscured by the smoky nightclub lighting or enlivened by the strong color of the Mardi Gras dancers, David Remfry’s life-size watercolors evoke a kaleidoscope of movement. Men and women dancing, conversing, unconsciously observing themselves in the mirror or consumed in a moment of quiet contemplation, charm and surprise the viewer with the agility and delicacy of the medium. The fascination with moving figures, strong skill for observation and profound love of people have granted Remfry the ability to use watercolors as his primary medium and perfect it beyond the sketch-like appearance on paper.
Many artists reject the idea of depicting crowded spaces, gatherings and tightly packed backgrounds; David embraces the challenge. His work has an ambiguous connection to the late-19th century portrayal of gaiety and closed surroundings with similar presence of characters. Remfry’s New York studio serves at times as a stage for these night-club scenes and parties. Remfry’s watercolors range in scale from grandiose to very small but nevertheless able to sustain the theme of dance, life, unity and love.
His work is included in the permanent collections of museums all over the world including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in England, and the Minneapolis Museum of Art and the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Since 1987, Remfry has been a member of the Royal Watercolor Society in London and in 2001 he was awarded the Honor of Member of the British Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to British Art in the USA.
EDUCATION
1959 - 64 Hull College of Art
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2004
Elaine Baker Gallery, Boca Raton, FL
2003
Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England
2002 - 03
Boca Raton Museum of Art, Florida
2002
Elaine Baker Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida
1999
Boca Raton Museum of Art, Florida
Elaine Baker Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida
1997
Mercury Gallery, London
1996
Bohun Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, England
Tatistcheff Gallery, New York
Bohun Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, England
1994
Mercury Gallery, London
Old Fire Engine House, Ely, England
1993
Bohun Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, England
1993 - 95
Portal Gallery, Bremen, Germany
1992
National Portrait Gallery, London
Mercury Gallery, London
Old Fire Engine House, Ely, England
1991
Bohun Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, England
1990
Mercury Gallery, London
Old Fire Engine House, Ely, England
1988
Mercury Gallery, London
1987
Ankrum Gallery, Los Angeles, California
Bohun Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, England
1986
Mercury Gallery, London
Old Fire Engine House, Ely, England
1985
Ankrum Gallery, Los Angeles, California
Bohun Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, England
1984
Mercury Gallery, London
1983
Mercury Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland
Ankrum Gallery, Los Angeles, California
Galerie de Beerenburght, Holland
Bohun Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, England
Old Fire Engine House, Ely, England
1982
Galerie de Beerenburght, Holland
Mercury Gallery, London
1981
Middlesborough Art Gallery, England
Bohun Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, England
Old Fire Engine House, Ely, England
1980 - 81
Ankrum Gallery, Los Angeles, California
1980
Galerie de Beerenburght, Holland
Mercury Gallery, London
1979
Old Fire Engine House, Ely, England
1978
Galerie de Beerenburght, Holland
Bohun Gallery, Henley-on-Thames, England
Mercury Gallery, London
1977
Old Fire Engine House, Ely, England
1976
Folkstone Art Gallery
1975
Ferens Municipal Gallery, Hull, England
Old Fire Engine House, Ely, England
1974
Editions Graphiques, (Drawings
1973
New Grafton Gallery