- 2 views
Dave Gunning’s artistic journey began with extraordinary promise: at just fourteen, three of his works were accepted by the Royal Academy, marking the start of a remarkable career that now spans more than five decades . Today, at seventy, he continues to produce work of exceptional depth and technical mastery, earning him a respected place within British printmaking and drawing.
Gunning’s practice is defined by both range and precision. His large‑scale pencil drawings, intricate intaglio etchings and etched works on steel are held in major public and private collections, reflecting the breadth of his creative output . Among the most notable recognitions of his career is the inclusion of 180 etchings of ancient sites in the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Collection — a testament to his enduring contribution to the arts.
In the early 1980s, Gunning reshaped the landscape of contemporary printmaking by designing and building the first fabricated Gunning Etching Press, making high‑quality presses more accessible to printmakers around the world and leaving a lasting legacy within the craft .
A memorable highlight of his career came in 2003, when he met Her Majesty The Queen at the opening of Walsall New Gallery — an encounter that inspired years of dedicated work, many pieces of which were later accepted into the Royal Collection .
Gunning continues to exhibit widely, with a major touring exhibition scheduled for Devizes Museum in 2025 and a permanent display in Ironbridge that showcases the depth and consistency of his practice . His legacy is one of innovation, craftsmanship and lifelong artistic commitment — a source of inspiration for printmakers, collectors and art enthusiasts alike.