The Artist, Des Spencer
Des Spencer’s artistic journey began in his youth, learning the art of painting from his uncle. Shaped by a natural creative instinct, Des has forged a successful career spanning more than four decades. Over the years he has developed and refined his craft and exhibits his work internationally.
Deeply connected to nature, Des draws daily inspiration from his surroundings and the wild beauty of Australia. His portfolio includes multiple series celebrating landscapes, flora, abstract and underwater scenes through the medium of acrylic on canvas.
More recently Des has expanded his focus to include a dynamic series inspired by Formula 1 racing, reminiscent of Des’s own experiences racing motorcycles and karts in the 70’s. This exclusive new series depicting cars in motion across the iconic circuits around the world celebrates the energy, movement and legendary drivers of the sport.
Across these diverse subjects, Des captures both the beauty of the natural world and the intensity of human experience through a captivating and expressive style.
The Journey So Far:
1988 - 1993 | DES’S CAREER BEGAN SHOWING AT ART SHOWS, COUNTRY FIELD DAYS AND ART AND CRAFT MARKETS IN QUEENSLAND AND NSW.
1993 | OPENED ‘AUSSIE BUSH ART’ SHOP AT THE PIER MARKET PLACE, CAIRNS - SUPPLYING SOUVENIR ART AUSTRALIA WIDE.
1997 | OPENED CORAL COAST ART GALLERY, CAIRNS AUSTRALIA.
EXHIBITIONS 1993- 2000 | PORT DOUGLAS - SHERATON MIRAGE & RADISSON TREE TOPS RESORT.
2000 | OPENED DES SPENCER GALLERY SHERATON MIRAGE PORT DOUGLAS.
2002 | OPENED DES SPENCER GALLERY MARINA MIRAGE GOLD COAST.
2007 | OPENED DES SPENCER GALLERY PALM COVE CAIRNS.
2011 | OPENED DES SPENCER GALLERY PORT DOUGLAS | LAUNCHED DES SPENCER PUBLISHING - LICENSING AGREEMENTS WITH TSK GIFTWARE AND HALES IMPORTS AUSTRALIA.
EXHIBITIONS 2000 - 2014 | SYDNEY - MCGRATH GALLERIES | BRISBANE - RED HILL GALLERIES | NEW YORK - NYACK | CARMEL - COTTAGE GALLERY | CHICAGO - HILLIGOSS GALLERIES | THE HAMPTON'S - DRAGON GALLERIES | HAWAII - DIAMOND HEAD GALLERIES, TABORA GALLERIES & SARGENT'S FINE ART GALLERIES | SCOTLAND - OLD COURSE HOTEL QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT SPONSORED EVENT | LONDON - HELEN ROLLANSON GALA CHARITY BALL DONATION | ARIZONA USA - DESERT SUN GALLERIES | ABU DHABI UAE - LE MERIDIEN HOTEL | DUBAI UAE - CHEF OSAMA - FOOD CHANNEL PROMOTION FOR AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS | CAIRNS - LIMITED EDITION ART SERIES FOR HOTEL REFURBISHMENT | ROYAL CARIBBEAN - ARTIST IN RESIDENCE SEAS CRUISE HAWAII TO SYDNEY.
2014 | DES RELOCATED TO THE UAE TO ESTABLISH DES SPENCER ART EXHIBITIONS.
EXHIBITIONS 2014 - 2019 | ABU DHABI & DUBAI - LE MERIDIEN | INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL | SHERATON RESORT HOTEL | QASR AL SARAB | ANANTARA PALM JUMEIRAH | JUMEIRAH CREEKSIDE HOTEL | F1 SHOW ANANTARA EASTERN MANGROVES | F1 SHOW MILLENNIUM CORNICHE HOTEL | TASTE OF AUSTRALIA FOUR SEASONS HOTEL | ARABIC FESTIVAL PARK REGIS HOTEL | JUMEIRAH CREEKSIDE HOTEL | BUSHMAN’S RESTAURANT | LE MERIDIAN | SHERATON RESORT AND SPA | PARK HYATT SAADIYAT ISLAND | WESTIN GOLF AND SPA RESORT | HYATT CAPITAL GATE | FAIRMONT BAB AL BAHR | FAIRMONT BEACH RESORT FUJAIRAH | FAIRMONT THE PALM JUMEIRAH | FAIRMONT FUJAIRAH SPORTS BAR | PULLMAN JUMEIRAH LAKES | HOTEL NOVOTEL.
MALDIVES - ARTIST STUDIO AND GALLERY SHANGRI-LA RESORT AND SPA | EXHIBITION - SHERATON FULL MOON RESORT MALDIVES.
CHARITY DONATIONS AND GALA BALLS UAE | STARLIGHT FOUNDATION | AL MANZIL SCHOOL FOR AUTISM | LIVE PAINTING WORKSHOP - STUDENTS AT VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SHARJAH.
2020 - 2021 | OPENED STUDIO GALLERY AT THE PULLMAN MALDIVES MAAMUTAA.
2021 | DES RELOCATED BACK HOME TO AUSTRALIA.
EXHIBITIONS 2021 - 2026 | CURRENTLY SHOWING
PORT DOUGLAS - THE SHERATON GRAND MIRAGE STUDIO GALLERY | CAIRNS - PULLMAN REEF CASINO GALLERY | MELBOURNE - AC HOTEL SOUTH BANK.
2026 | OPENED DES SPENCER GALLERY PARADISE POINT GOLD COAST.