DAVID K. REES Artist
PROFILE: (Born Liverpool 1947) U.K. & Australian Passports – Single.
Education – U.K. Wallasey Grammar School. Wallasey/Liverpool College of Art
A naturally gifted artist with inherent drawing skills and a multi-talented creative. Originally engaged as a publicity artist, producing artist’s impressions for an international building and construction company. Learning from high profile professionals, developed skills in large format photography, graphic design and printing, exhibition design, writing and production of 16mm films (Worldwide Films, London) and management.
Became National Advertising Manager for the U.K.’s largest car distributor, (responsible for 175 retail dealerships) and was subsequently invited to join their London based Advertising Agency to handle the account.
Taking off to see the world, led to joining a retail agency in Adelaide, where, after local experience was gained, ‘ Motivators’Advertising was started, enabling total control of all production and artwork, and the writing and production of all radio and television commercials including South Australian Govt. contracts. (Total billings – over $2.5million). A partnership split led to a sell-out, and a business set up in Alice Springs to handle brochure work for the Northern Territory Govt. Tourist Commission. With their demise, a move to Perth followed until recession hit in 1990.
After the Gulf War, an opportunity existed to handle world brand-leaders in the rapidly developing, multi-cultural environment of the Middle East – which could not be resisted. It was while working in this rather restrictive part of the world that the inner artist started to stir. With the Birthday Gift of a box of oil paints and drawing on a collection of photographs taken of reflections in the growing numbers of mirror-glazed multi-storey buildings, the decision was made to give everything up ‘to become the artist that had always been within’. The decision made, a studio was set up in a second bathroom, and the ‘Reflected Dimension’ concept was developed, leading to first solo exhibition Dubai, 1998.
Moved to live and work in New Zealand then returned to Australia, for a second solo exhibition in 2000. Based back in the UK in 2001- exhibited by Woolff Gallery, London and his work exhibited by the Royal Society of Marine Artists and the Royal Society of British Artists – for 3 consecutive years. Artist-in-Residence in St Thomas (US Virgin Islands) 2002, and then a solo exhibition at the Australian High Commission, London. More opportunities for portraiture existed in London (several portraits of Cherie Booth QC – wife of Tony Blair, UK PM produced – with one currently hung in the PM’s office at No 10).
Returned to Australia 2006 – currently concentrating on ‘Reflected Dimensions’, Marine Subjects and Portraiture (Exhibiting Member – Portrait Artists Australia).
1997-date Professional Fine Artist – U.A.E., Virgin Islands, U.K., New Zealand, and Australia.
1998 Solo Exhibition – Dubai, U.A.E.
2000 Solo Exhibition – Perth, Western Australia.
2001 Group Exhibition – Woolff Gallery, London.
2002 Dual Exhibition – Artist-in-Residence, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
2003 Solo Exhibition – Australian High Commission, Strand, London.
2003 Group Exhibition – Unilever/Faberge, Port Sunlight, UK.
2004 Several Portraits of Cherie Blair (One hung in PM’s office at No.10)
2005 Exhibition – View Gallery, Thames Ditton, London.
2006/7 Portrait Commissions – exploring expressionism/developing new direction.
1996-97 WHITELINK ADVERTISING (Dubai) – Creative Director. General Motors (Trucks). . Alitalia Airlines, Lloyds Bank, Zurich Life, Commercial Union, Air Seychelles, Mack Trucks (Middle East). LG Corp.
1993-97 GULF BUSINESS FOUNDATION (Dubai) – Agency Manager. Cessna Corp., Saab Cars, Commercial Bank of Dubai ( Middle East), Mack Trucks.
1990.93DAVID K.REES ADVERTISING (Dubai UAE) Creative Consultant. EPPCO Petroleum, Sheraton Dubai, Consultant to MADCO GULF – B.A.T. (British American Tobacco), Audi Cars (Middle East) 1988-90 DAVID K.REES ADVERTISING (Perth, WA)- Creative Director. FAI Insurance, GHD Engineering. (National)
1986-88 DAVID K.REES ADVERTISING (Alice Springs, NT)- Creative Director. NT Govt. Tourist Commission, Hertz Rentals, Impaja Television, Radio 8HA, Holden cars.
1980-86 MOTIVATORS ADVERTISING (Adelaide, SA) Owner & Creative Director. S.A. Govt. and local accounts including Ford, Volvo and Mazda. (Billing over $2.5million) – Bought out.
1979-80 DDB ADVERTISING (Adelaide, SA) Account Director/Finished Artist. Stillwell Ford. Writer/Producer – 16mm films – Hills Industries (National)
1977-79 LEVY ADVERTISING (Adelaide, SA) Account Director/Finished Artist. Local accounts, Ford cars.
1976-77 World trip.
1973-75 DATELINE ADVERTISING (London) Account Director/Finished Artist. Oliver Rix Group account – multi-franchise car retailing.
1971-73 OLIVER RIX GROUP (UK) – National Advertising Manager. U.K.’s largest multi-franchise car retailer – British Leyland, General Motors, Chrysler, Citroen & Maserati, Atkinson & Seddon Trucks.
1967-71 H.H. ROBERTSON (UK) – International Building Products. Publicity Artist. Photographer. Writer/Producer 16mm films. Design/Production International Exhibitions, Print Dept. Manager.