David Egan (b.1965 in Dublin, Ireland) emigrated to Sydney, Australia in 1988. David returned to Dublin, Ireland in 2020 to focus on building his artistic career internationally while maintaining his Sydney studio.
Egan studied Art at the National College of Art & Design, Dublin,1985 and graduated from RTC / Arts College, Co. Donegal, Ireland in 1988 with a degree in Visual Communications. He later attended AWARD school, Australia,1989 (Australia Writers & Art Directors Association) topping the year amongst two hundred students in this premier course in creativity in advertising.
Following a career as an art director in advertising for J.Walter Thompson, David opened his first studio in Sydney in 1996, a multi disciplinary Art + Design practice.
David was titled ambassador for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, which included the completion of public works and murals throughout the city.
In 2001 and 2006, Irish rock band U2 sanctioned the use of their lyrics in David’s work. David’s U2 collections were exhibited in Sydney (2001 & 2006) and in Dublin (2002). A commission for Sir Elton John by record label Universal Music followed.
David was selected as a finalist in the 2012 Wynne Prize and a finalist in the 2013 & 2015 Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. A Museum exhibition attracting an estimated 120,000 paying visitors annually to this highly prestigious show.
David’s global reach is beyond the gallery system into contemporary culture at large. Inspired by contemporary culture and design, Egan’s work is progressive, innovative, stimulating and infectious. Through the use of innovative characters, abstract designs, tone and colour, he articulates his own distinctive contemporary visual language. Each work is eloquently executed with great painterly care and exists to add cultural value to our visual world. Each Egan work aims to express vitality, creative energy and evoke a sense of optimism.
Using the tagline “Art to Colour Your Grey Matter” to represent his work, David also teases the viewer to enter conversations about his creations.
Selected Projects
Apple (Japan)
Qantas
Amnesty International
Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney
Coca Cola
Sydney Film Festival
U2 – (Collection of paintings)
Selected Charities
Amnesty International Greenpeace
WWF
Kellogg’s – Kids Helpline
Cancer Council, Australia
World Vision
Starlight Foundation
Guide Dog’s Association – Australia
Schizophrenia Research – Australia
Selected Collections
Australian Embassy, Dublin
Irish Consulate, Sydney
Saatchi & Saatchi, Sydney
ERCO, Melbourne & Sydney
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Kelly’s Hotel, Rosslare, Ireland
Essilor, Sydney
Bono – Dublin
Sir Elton John – United Kingdom
Jim Sheridan (Film Director) – Dublin
Selected Awards
2012 Wynne Art Prize, Art Gallery of New South Wales
2013 Sulman Art Prize, Art Gallery of New South Wales
2015 Sulman Art Prize, Art Gallery of New South Wales