David Duncan was born in Georgetown Guyana in 1950.  By the age of 5 he had crossed the Atlantic by ship several times. He finally moved to Scotland in 1955.  Worldwide travel would play a major part in his life.

David has been involved in education all his life both in Scotland and overseas. Whilst his background is in science and technology he has long had an interest in the creative arts. Drawing, painting and sculpture have all played their part.

He has drawn all his life in a variety of media and views drawing as an essential skill. He continues to attend life drawing classes. 

He is essentially self taught but over the years he has attended evening classes at Edinburgh College of Art, the Sculpture workshop, the Printmakers workshop and the Open College of Art in this country. He has lived in Brazil, Spain, Dubai and Bahrain and has attended classes in these countries.

In painting his preference is oil. While having taken his style from no one artist or movement in painting he has been drawn to the bold figurative work of the new Glasgow Boys. The Americans Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Georgia O'Keeffe and Jacob Lawrence have also been an important influence. The artwork and commitment of Paula Rego has also impressed. He continues to experiment. 

In sculpture he has worked in clay, plaster, metal and wood. The works of past masters like Smith, Brâncuși, Hepworth, Calder and Giacometti have all interested him. 

Travel, the human figure and world events have been the focus of his art over the years.  In recent years he has focussed on the Portrait.

He was shortlisted in both the 2017 and 2020 Scottish Portrait Awards and also long listed in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Exhibitions

1995 Open College of the Arts

1997 HCT Dubai

2017 Scottish Portrait Awards Edinburgh

2020 Scottish Portrait Awards Edinburgh

2020 Online exhibition Scottish Portrait Awards

2021 Scottish Portrait Awards Glasgow Arts Club

2021 Online exhibition Scottish Portrait Awards

2022 Meffan (Forfar) Winter Show