Empirical Malum
David is a UK-based artist whose work is forged at the intersection of lived trauma, resilience, and uncompromising authenticity. Under the name Empirical Malum – “evil judged by what is seen” – his paintings reflect a philosophy born from experience rather than ideology.
Every mark, every fractured figure, and every glint of gold is rooted in observation, survival, and truth.
His path to art was shaped by a strict religious upbringing he ultimately rejected, the tragic loss of his brother, and years of service as a Commando-trained soldier, including deployment to Afghanistan. Recently, doctors suggested his work to be a “sophisticated coping mechanism” as a response to undiagnosed PTSD – a truth that adds further weight to the emotional precision of his pieces. This is art made to reckon with the forces that shape us.
David’s career began with commissions in hyper-realistic charcoal and graphite, developing a mastery of precision, anatomy, and light. Though capable of near-photographic accuracy, he chose to move beyond replication, forging a more expressive and interpretive style. His signature monochrome portraiture; often torn through with gold and texture, became a language of survival: figures weathered and enduring, suspended between destruction and transcendence, their composure earned through fire.
In 2024–2025, David’s work drew the attention of major names in the metal and alternative music world. He has created original works for and personally met members of Trivium, Machine Head, Gojira, Bring Me The Horizon, and President, with his pieces now in their private collections. His ability to translate a band’s sound and ethos into a singular image has made him a sought-after presence at festivals, including Download and Bloodstock, with discussions already underway to exhibit in Bloodstock’s exclusive RAM Gallery in 2026.
Future plans include expanding the Empirical Malum collection, deepening collaborations with international touring artists, and continuing to explore the boundaries of endurance, loss, and defiance in visual form. For David, the work remains personal; each painting is a survival artefact, each series a record of a mind and body learning not only to endure the storm, but to stand in it by choice.
