Working trip to Cyprus April 2010
Solo Exhibition The Cotswolds Airshow (Kemble) VIP June 2010
Display of Option 7 The RAF Museum, Hendon from June 2010
Solo Exhibition Royal International Air Tattoo July 2010
Exhibitions London, UK, USA & UAE end 2010/2011 dates TBC
Retrospective Exhibition The RAF Museum, Hendon 2012
"David Bent's love for and appreciation of the power and beauty of aviation adds a unique fourth dimension to his work that sets it above his contemporaries. Many of our guests at the Royal International Air Tattoo share his passion and consequently view David's work as an integral part of our celebration of the magic that is aviation." Tim Prince, Chief Executive RAFCTE Director RIAT
"David's work is striking in its originality. It captures the essence of the Red Arrows and the emotiveness of their displays. It truly is breathtaking and reflects the excellence of both the artist and the team." Emma Thomas. PR Officer. The Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team. The Red Arrows
"David’s work constantly evolves encompassing all the senses & the beauty of the experience of flight. His thrilling works of art intrigue, entertain and enchant our guests to a new level each year on....." Suzannah Harvey Director Kemble Airfield & Airshow
"David Bent's art is unique; it combines passion and sensitivity, the abstract and the vividly real. I especially love his colourful portrayals of the awe inspiring beauty of flight." Air Marshall Sir Christopher Coville.
"I am attracted to David Bent's art as he has taken iconic bits of aviation history and remixed them into kaleidoscopic images and patterns. An emblem here, a silhouette there and you are transported back to days gone by as you discover subtlety and nuance in the shadows, shapes and angles of his artwork. The middle eastern influence evident in his latest series is as unique and beguiling as is the region." Ted Ingram, President APPH Houston, USA.
"It takes quite a mind to see through the everyday and to create complementary artwork of outstanding dynamism. David has that mind and we at Farnborough International Airshow are privileged to share the experience." Trevor Sidebottom. MD Farnborough International Airshow - 2008.
"Work of great integrity and beauty, by turns both challenging and inspiring." Ruth Staple Artsmatrix UK
"Truly new, refreshing and engaging. You will never look at an aircraft in the same way again. David's work makes you look deeper." Joe McGrath. International Airshow Commentator
"We first saw David's work when we displayed at the Royal International Air Tattoo, where he was exhibiting in the VIP marquees. You can imagine the number of images that we see of the Red Arrows every single day, and it takes something pretty special to get all of our attention! We were so impressed by the striking nature of the paintings that we immediately pestered him to see if he would be interested in collaborating with the Red Arrows. " R.Huxford. PR Manager The Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team. The Red Arrows 2002 - 2008
"David Bent is a very talented artist." Frank Cohen. Art Collector
"In celebration of our milestone event, it made perfect sense to invite one of the world's leading aviation artists to unveil his latest masterpieces. We hope that all visitors have the chance to view David's exceptional work." Alison Weller. Director Aerospace F&E Dubai Airshow
"David's work is unique, deeply felt and makes me think of the future." Yousif Hassan Al Hamadi. President Emirates Aviation Association. UAE
"I'm particularly impressed by David's photocollages. He has the eye of an abstract painter with a touch of heartfelt mysticism. David totally transforms his subjects. Great Work." M.Stern. University of New York USA
"David's thought provoking work breaks new ground - very clever and totally original." Will Curtis. World Record Holder Aerobatics Display Pilot
"David Bent captures the unique excitement and spirit of flight." Lawrie Cleary. Art Collector
"David Bent has put the humanity back into aviation." Cliff Allison. Ex Royal Engineers
"David Bent captures the essence of a subject beautifully, then transforms it into another paradigm to create new worlds that are dynamic and visually appealing." Yumi Ogasawara. Wabi Art
"David's art is intelligent, vibrant and distinctive... relevant to both aviation professionals and to anyone excited by the thrill of flight." Clive Richardson, Chief Executive, Aerospace Group. F&E
David was born in Dover in 1950.
He sometimes attended Dover Grammar School for boys and went on to study Art at Wolverhampton College from 1968-72. He thrived there on a training, which reflecting the time, was both traditional and avant garde.
David has maintained his art practice throughout his life, supporting it through a wide variety of work experiences. He has always travelled extensively, spending long periods of time in many countries including Peru, Costa Rica, India, Nepal and the Gulf Region - always taking photographs, painting, sketching and collecting the ephemera and images that form the foundation of much of his work.
David combines his diverse experience with his acute powers of observation to create his artworks. The more you view his substantial body of paintings, photographs and collages, the more intriguing it becomes.
Over the past five years David's innovative approach to aviation art has established him as a leading artist in this field and has lead to a number of invitations to exhibit internationally.
David's work is held in private and corporate collections around the world.
He is happily married to his gorgeous wife Carole and currently lives and works in Wiltshire.
March 2010 Completion of Battle of Britain Collections
January 2010 Al Ain Airshow, Abu Dhabi
October 2009 South Africa, North West Province Airshow visit
September 2009 Open Studios
July 2009 Solo Exhibition Patrons Pavillion Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford 17th - 19th July
Solo Exhibition VIP Enclosure Kemble Airshow June 2009
Auction of print from Red Arrows Collection at Charity Ball, Swindon Marriott Hotel May 2009
Movement 2000 Exhibition at Post Modern, Swindon. April 2009
Installation of "Flight of the Red Arrow" in SBAC boardroom HQ, London March 2009
Auction of Option 7 triptych at Kemble Airfield - fundraising for RAFBF & Fly2Help Charities
Opening of new Bent Gallery art space September 13/14 2008 during Open Studios Event
Farnborough International Airshow solo exhibition July 2008
Launch of innovative new collection "Plane Tessellations" July 2008
Solo Exhibition at Kemble Airfield VIP Enclosure June 2008
New painting "Option 7" commemorating 90th anniversary of RAF completed June 2008
Artist in Residency, Red Arrows, Cyprus, April 2008
Launch of Red Stardance and Reds Freestyling Through Milford Sound cards January 08
Dubai International Airshow solo exhibition November 2007
Royal International Air Tattoo VIP Enclosure solo exhibition 2007
Kemble Airshow solo exhibition VIP Enclosure 2007
Artist in residency Red Arrows, Cyprus 2007
Al Ain Aerobatics Show solo exhibition Royal Tent 2007
Farnborough International Airshow solo exhibition 2006
Royal International Air Tattoo solo exhibition 2006
Al Ain Aerobatics Show solo exhibition Royal Tent 2006
Society of British Aerospace Companies head office commission
Thales boardroom commission
Opening of Bent Art Gallery new space
