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David Michael Butler

Biography:

St. Louis native and Ohio-based Artist David Butler has situated himself within the figurative painting tradition. He attained his BFA at the Columbus College of Art and Design, and is inspired by the figurative works of traditional painters. Butler's work engages the visual essence of pop/urban culture, placing figures in environments and narratives to provoke dialogue on identity, and his life experiences. His recent focus is interpreting Pulp Fiction novels with text that speaks to multiple identities, and sub cultures.
 
Along with his visual arts background, Butler has maintained ten-year career as an educator, illustrator, and mural painter doing work for clients such as Price Waterhouse Cooper, Ithaca College, Soulo Theory Creative, National Association of Black Accountants, and Miami University Oxford, Ohio. He has illustrated three children’s books, and completed illustrations for multiple editorial publications. David currently works as an educator, and recently graduated from the The University of the Arts, for a MFA in Studio Art. He lives in Columbus, OH with his wife Erica.

Artist Statement:

I make paintings, drawings, installations, and films. I touch various overlapping themes. Several reoccurring subject matters can be recognized in the work, such as the relation with popular culture, politics, social justice, and Blackness. My work tells Black stories and shows intersections of race, identity, and equality. I’m striving to breathe questions between these themes, and create work that is the shoulder shake for the world to notice what’s fallen ordinary.

 Exhibitions / Awards

  • Forceful Perceptions Elijah Pierce Gallery, Columbus,OH Dec. 2014

  • Duets, Homeport Gallery, Columbus, OH July 2014

  • Femme Noir Exhibit: King Art Complex, Jan. 2013 Columbus, OH

  • SHINE Exhibit: King Art Complex, Dec. 2012 Columbus, OH

  • Rough House Exhibition in Gallery 224 Philadelphia, PA July 2012

  • See, Me and Remember Solo Exhibit: Ithaca College, October 2011

  • MFA: Work In Progress Show: Rosen wolf Gallery Philadelphia, PA August 2011

  • Illustration Showcase at Mary Ann Davis Gallery Cincinnati, OH - September 2009-October 2009

  • Mar Vine Gallery Joint Exhibition Columbus, OH- April 2007

  • “Dare to Be” Solo Exhibition at Center for Black Culture and Learning Oxford, OH September 2008

  • Grand Prize The Arts: Linking with the Community Art Affair Columbus, OH – January 2006

  • Grange Insurance Juried Art Competition- December 2006  (First Prize Winner)

  • Student Showcase Batellle Gallery Columbus, OH- May 2004, 2005, 2006

  • Solo Exhibition, Hip Hop Don’t Stop- Snaps n Taps Lounge Columbus, OH- October 2002

  • The Overture Awards Competition Columbus, OH November 2001

  • Loveland Arts Council Award Show Loveland, OH- November 2000