Biography

Me and Mum, day one in Oswald Place

I was born into a loving family in the back streets of Dover in 1950.

The family, like many others of the time were struggling with the effects of the Second World War. Financial pressures and Ill health made life difficult.

Dover itself was a Bomb site.

I just passed my eleven plus exam and sometimes attended Dover Grammar School for Boys where I excelled at sport and art and crafts. 

Dover Grammar School Under 15's Football Team 1964. Good Team

I went up to Wolverhampton Polytechnic to study Art between 1968-72. I thrived there on a training, which reflecting the times, was both traditional and avant-garde.

Me and some of my fellow Art Collage students in 1968

I have maintained my art practice throughout my life, supporting it when needed through a wide variety of work experiences, including being a youth worker, teacher and company director. I have traveled extensively, spending periods of time in many countries, always sketching, taking  photographs and collecting ephemera. In 2000, my wife Carole chose to leave corporate life as Head of Design at WHSmith HQ to become an active partner with DavidBentStudio alongside her consultancy work, writing and commitments to social justice.

Me and Mac staying with a family from the Karen people in Burma 1983. Jacks Tribal Treks

I combine my diverse experiences with  acute powers of observation and clever craftwork to create my artworks. The more you look at my substantial body of work, my collection of paintings, photographs and collages, the more intriguing and substantial it becomes.

Over the years my innovative approach to my interest in aviation and aerospace has established me as a leading artist in this field. In 2015 I was awarded Honorary Companionship of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

I exhibit my work locally, nationally and internationally and my work is held in national, private and corporate collections across the World.

I am happily married to my lovely wife Carole who has supported me and has been an active partner in David Bent Studio since 2000. We live and work in our studio home in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Me and carole in the Heather.