Artist Profile

David V. Gonzales was born on February 3, 1971, on a U.S. Air Force Base in Wiesbaden, Germany. He grew up in Santa Fe, N.M. enjoying the benefits of belonging to a large and closely-knit extended family. His family has been well rooted in the area for 5 generations, which include many well-known artists, such as wood carver Ben Ortega and weavers Jose and Pedro Rodriguez from the Canyon Road District. “As far back as I can remember, I have been working with art materials to create something based upon my observations.” (David V. Gonzales)

It was evident in his youth that Gonzales was a gifted and talented artist. He attended St. Catherine’s Indian School in Santa Fe and began exhibiting his work at the young age of 12. By the time he was 17, his work was on display in the Smithsonian and simultaneously received the New Mexico Governor’s Award. His art was on display at the U.S. Capitol Congressional Tunnel, as well as the Governor's Mansion in Santa Fe, N.M. Gonzales received a full scholarship to the San Antonio Art Institute. His works have been included in several National Museum Traveling Exhibits and an International Exhibit where his art was displayed next to the artwork of Keith Haring who is famous for his contribution to the Pop Art Movement.

Gonzales’ early work reflects his heritage, rich in Native American and Hispanic Cultural Traditions, but quickly expanded to include many styles and a multitude of mediums.  Using oils, acrylics, watercolor, pencils, pastels, wood, and bronze, Gonzales has created 2 and 3-dimensional pieces ranging from photo-realism to abstract.

In 1997 Gonzales moved to Colorado after falling in love with the small town of Manitou Springs. It was there that he began to masterfully express his fascination with relative objects moving through space and time. It is this movement of related things that unifies his diverse body of work. It is what makes his art unique and easily recognizable. His work is not a static representation of a single moment in time; rather they are more like living entities with a past, present, and future, ever moving and unfolding.

David V. Gonzales is the culmination of the artistic talent that has moved throughout his family for generations.