14. David Cass - Ground

2023
Gouache, watercolour & pencil on antique photo-mount
8.5 x 14 cm
Signed on Front

David Cass is a contemporary Scottish artist whose multidisciplinary practice is rooted in sustainability, environmental awareness and an ongoing investigation into water. Working across painting, construction, photography, writing, performance, curation and audience participation, Cass creates projects that combine artistic experimentation with ecological engagement. His work is unified through the use of gathered and recycled materials, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental responsibility and material reuse.

Cass studied at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating in 2010. Since then he has developed a practice that frequently examines humanity’s relationship with landscape, climate and natural resources, particularly the cultural and symbolic significance of water.

Selected exhibitions include Nature Turns at the Royal Scottish Academy (2026), And Then There Was Everything at Joy Machine, Chicago (2025), Light on Water at The Scottish Gallery (2024), 500 Years at Christie's (2023), Where Once the Waters during the Venice Biennale (2022), and Horizon Rising at Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum in North Uist (2020).

His work has received a number of awards and scholarships, including the Alt-W Production Award from New Media Scotland (2025), the Benno Schotz Award from the Royal Scottish Academy (2018), First Prize in the Royal Watercolour Society Contemporary Competition (2012), and First Prize in the Royal Society of Marine Artists Young Artist Award (2011). In 2010, he was awarded the prestigious John Kinross Scholarship to Florence by the Royal Scottish Academy.

Cass’ work is held in numerous private collections, as well as the collections of the Royal Scottish Academy and Winsor & Newton.