DAVE COBURN

Dave Coburn is a South African artist based in Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa.
He has been involved in the graphic design industry for 25 years along with being an artist and
illustrator. After obtaining a Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacture, his career took a turn into graphic design working as the Art Director for various magazines, including Scope Magazine, the well known South African men’s magazine. He has exhibited his work over the years in South African galleries and been involved in illustration and design for various publications over the years. He began painting with oil paint which is now his preferred medium.
He has had a passion for all art forms, especially abstract drawing and painting. Through his relocation from Durban, KwaZulu Natal to a coastal town, Hermanus, Western Cape he is able to draw from his natural surroundings, Dave has found himself immersed in a contemporary approach to underwater sea life.
Being a born and bred South African, he also has a strong passion for Africa, its natural beauty and its people. Through a bold approach he captures the dreamlike atmosphere and essence of Africa in his African works.
Dave began painting vintage and commercial diver scenes. His work is recognised by the local and international vintage diver enthusiasts and collectors, as well as the present commercial dive industry. Dave now has an international following for his diver inspired oil paintings. Over the last few years he has produced numerous commissioned pieces for private clients and businesses in the diving industry around the world. Between commissions he paints underwater scenes and sea life.
“As predominantly land based souls we admire the beauty of the ocean from the shoreline.
Underneath is a world unknown to most. Due to the threat to our oceans and coastline I embrace the beauty of beneath and attempt to retain the awareness of the unseen”.
Dave’s passion for art is directly linked to providing paintings that are bold, colourful and portray the energy of his subjects. He is experimentational and has embarked on a new journey and fresh approach to capturing what is special to all of us. He also places emphasis in his quest to capture the energy of our sea life.
His ultimate aim is to create art that incorporates the basic aspects we should experience daily – energy, colour, intrigue and happiness.