David Bates was born in Dallas, Texas in 1952. He studied at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1975, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1978. He has exhibited his work in both solo and group shows throughout the United States. Among his honors include the 2003 “Legend Award” from the Dallas Center for Contemporary Art, Dallas, Texas; the 1984 Annual Southwest Exhibition “Award for Sculpture,” from the Fort Worth Museum of Art, Fort Worth, Texas; and a 1982 Artist Grant from the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Dallas, Texas. Bates lives and works in Dallas.
“David Bates deals with the fundamental relationship between man and nature. His creations, which he describes as open-ended narratives, explore the culture of the South and Southwest as part of a broader American perspective. For his paintings, Bates consistently chooses subjects of humble origin, such as bait-sellers, who embody our nostalgia for an earlier, less complicated America. Iconic in their visual presence, his images remind us that the old values of loyalty and dependability, pride in work, and respect for nature have an enduring appeal.”
ยท From americanart.si.edu
