David Theron’s work has always revolved around the concept of the Other, and his time living abroad has only deepened this exploration. His art navigates the inherent difficulties of clear expression in both life and art, offering unsettling glimpses of strangers in unfamiliar environments. These elements coalesce into works that emphasize the significance of uncertainty. Theron’s use of dense marks layered over crisp yet simultaneously dissolving features beautifully reflects the enigma of human relationships, highlighting the profound truth that it is impossible to truly know another person—or oneself.
In February 2020, Theron’s life took a dramatic turn when his wife was diagnosed with stage four cancer just two days before the birth of his daughter. This life-altering event prompted him to deeply contemplate the roles individuals play in each other’s lives and the ways in which we influence and change one another, for better or for worse. His paintings from this period are a visceral response to the immense stress and transformation he experienced. He became obsessed with the moments shared with loved ones and was drawn to rare memories where he had witnessed others’ lives change in an instant—through fights, sex, arguments, and emotionally charged encounters.
Theron’s paintings serve as a mediation on these pivotal moments of change. He draws intriguing parallels between the physical acts of sex and conflict, revealing their unexpected and often uncomfortable similarities: bodies colliding, heightened emotions, physical tensions, and power struggles. Rather than presenting these moments as spectacles, he offers glimpses into something deeply private. Even when these acts occur in public, they remain profoundly personal.
Theron’s goal is to make the viewer feel involved, part of a secret, complicit in the act.