David Surman

David Surman (b. 1981) is a British artist based in London. He graduated from the animation program at Newport Film School in 2002 and completed his postgraduate degree in film studies at Warwick University.

David Surman (b. 1981) is a British artist based in London. He graduated from the animation program at Newport Film School in 2002 and completed his postgraduate degree in film studies at Warwick University. He has participated in multiple exhibitions, including "Sleepless Moon" at Gallery THEO in Seoul in 2024 and "Portraits of a Wild Family" at Sens Gallery in Hong Kong in 2022. Surman's quiet yet spirited creatures reflect his animation training, contributing to the fluidity of his narratives and the dynamism of his characters. Inspired by Miyazaki and Yoshitomo Nara, Surman's paintings use an innocent style to convey nuanced, human stories. Animals in his work are depicted as complex beings: affectionate and lively, yet at times surrounded by mystery or solitude, even attempting to escape from the canvas. The layers in his paintings draw viewers in, challenging them to explore the multiplicity of Surman’s world.