David OPPENHEIM, an atypical and anarchic painter, was born in the south of France on November 27, 1937. With a very strong personality, Oppenheim spent his life seeking inspiration in the four corners of the world. His life was punctuated by travels, adventures, and experiences that constantly evolved his painting. His paths unfolded through encounters.
His beginnings (1959–1960)
It was 1959, and the beginning of his artistic career. Between 1959 and 1960, he exhibited at the Merenciano gallery and the Nègre gallery, who supported him throughout his journey by organizing several exhibitions for him.
The grand tour: Mexico, London, Germany (1968–1971)
In 1968, he hit the road; each encounter, each destination would be an opportunity for new exhibitions; first in Mexico City at the Peganin's gallery, then in London, and finally in Germany at the Kundst-Amendt gallery. It was in Aix-la-Chapelle that he met a wealthy industrialist who, passionate about his painting, set up a lavish studio for him in his factory. From then on, exhibitions multiplied, notably in 1971 at the Siebel gallery and the Glaüb gallery for the most important ones.
Florence and Paris (1972–1973)
In 1972, he had another exceptional encounter in Florence, at Franco Bettazzi's home, who in turn fell in love with Oppenheim's style: for 9 months, he asked him to paint exclusively for him. In 1973, he returned to France, and a new exhibition was organized at the Beauvois gallery in Paris.
Léo Ferré and Bob Dylan (1974–1975)
In 1974, in homage to Léo Ferré, he created 43 drawings for the release of the album "Il n'y a plus rien"; all these drawings were immediately purchased by a Texan collector who asked him to execute 10 lithographs. They would be part of a boxed set titled "Obsession."
In 1975, he met Bob Dylan, who came to find him at his home in Haute Savoie, where he was living at the time. Dylan then asked him to illustrate his album cover "Blood on the Tracks," and they traveled all over France together.
Monumental frescoes (1981–1985)
Between 1976 and 1981, exhibitions followed one after another, notably in France and Germany, where he was particularly appreciated. The period 1981–1985 saw new ventures; he created gigantic frescoes and painted walls on the facade of the Toursky theater in Marseille. Other works followed, including the ceiling of the theater in Salon de Provence. In Paris, he created a very large 200m² fresco.
Return to the South and later years (1990–after)
In 1990, back in the Marseille region, he met a very influential surgeon who offered him his address book; a great friendship united them, and it was in Corsica, at the latter's home, that he painted part of his work. In 1992 and 1993, other exhibitions were dedicated to him, notably in Marseille at the Sylvestre gallery and in 1994 at the Elysée-Matignon gallery. After a few years of introspection, he remarried and settled in the south of Spain, where he resumed painting.