David Middlebrook

David Middlebrook was born in 1967 in Gloucester, New South Wales, and his practice is deeply rooted in the Australian desert landscape. He uses the desert both as a subject in its own right and as a starting point for narratives exploring political, environmental, cultural and humanitarian issues, as well as the complexities of post-colonial Australia.

Middlebrook’s work often employs irony and visual contradiction to encourage reflection rather than provide simple answers. His flooded desert landscapes, for example, explore environmental concerns through an unexpected juxtaposition of water and arid terrain. Another significant body of work, China and I, incorporates red squares and draws on Middlebrook’s experiences of working at an artist residency in China and travelling throughout the country. The works consider the complex relationship between Australia and China, including Australia’s reliance on Chinese manufacturing and investment alongside concerns about China’s influence and the exploitation of the Australian landscape through mining.

Indigenous histories and post-colonial themes are also important threads within Middlebrook’s practice. His work has been presented nationally and internationally, including his selection to represent Australia in Art from Australia at the Gail Museum in Seoul, South Korea. He has exhibited at the Sydney International Contemporary Art Fair, the 2015 Packsaddle exhibition at New England Regional Art Gallery, the University of Newcastle and numerous other group exhibitions.