David Moore Collection
“I am interested in the quality of the light, the colour key and the tonal key of the painting. Each painting is a stand-alone moment captured. The body of work is of no consequence, it really is about being with the painting, a singular moment in time.”
Summer Hills, Castlemaine, 2024
Oil on Linen
90 x 110 cm
The David Moore Collection
The David Moore Collection brings together a considerable volume of work reflecting the artist’s deep engagement with the unique landscapes of Central Victoria; Castlemaine, Harcourt, Elphinstone, Maldon, Sutton Grange, Dean, Blampied and surrounds. His paintings reveal a tonal sensitivity and quiet observation capturing fleeting moments of light and place. The collection reveals David Moore’s distinctive ability to transform familiar, often understated scenes into atmospheric and contemplative paintings. Each work contributes to a coherent vision grounded in place, honesty and restraint offering viewers an intimate and enduring connection to the Australian landscape.
David Moore will occasionally revisit the ballerina tutu as a still life subject. Art collectors seek out these charming tutu paintings as unique and desirable additions to their collection. Again, beautiful painterly works demonstrating the artist’s capacity to artfully render in oil paint. This sensitivity also extends to other still life subjects; simple vessels, cups, bowls and jugs where restraint and clarity allow form, tone, and light to quietly resonate. ‘The Big Bench paintings’ are a testament to David Moore’s achievement as one of Australia’s foremost tonalist painters.
David Moore’s paintings are in several notable collections including Geelong Art Gallery, Castlemaine Art Museum, Waverley City Council, Nillumbik Council, Whitehorse Artspace and many, many private collections.
David Moore has been a finalist in many prizes including the recent 2025 Len Fox Painting Prize, Castlemaine Art Museum (CAM), the 2014 John Leslie Art Prize, Gippsland Art Gallery. His awards include the Alice M. E. Bale scholarship, the Norman Kay Award from the Victorian Artists Society and the Nillumbik Art Award.
David Moore is also an enthusiastic teacher and ambassador for painters wanting to learn the craft. David Moore taught tonal painting for 30 years at Montsalvat, the Justus Jorgensen’s (1893–1975) architecturally inspired treasure in Eltham on the outskirts of Melbourne. David Moore now instructs students privately in Castlemaine.