David King

David King’s paintings conjure coastal skies at the edge of stormlight, mountains fading into mist, and landscapes glowing in the uncertain light between dusk and dark. A former principal baritone with Opera Australia, King has traded one stage for another, swapping arias for oils in a creative journey that feels both bold and inevitable.

Born in Dublin and now based in Bulli, King brings a striking new voice to the Light Colour Landscape showcase. His work is deeply rooted in the northern Illawarra — a region he captures in thick, expressive brushwork and moody, layered light. Mentored by acclaimed painter Paul Ryan, King embraces a “punk impasto” style that gives his scenes a raw, visceral edge.

Though new to exhibiting, his visual instincts have been decades in the making. From early studies in interior design to apprenticing with his sculptor father, Cecil King, and a celebrated career on the operatic stage, King’s life has always been shaped by form, drama, and emotional depth. It was during his years on tour that he rekindled a love of drawing and painting — a passion that would eventually take centre stage.