About the Artist

David Cass

CV 2026

Trained in Drawing & Painting at Edinburgh College of Art, David Cass (b. 1988) works across a wide variety of media, yet always returns to paint. His practice transforms items reclaimed from flea markets and antique fairs into contemporary contexts, mapping the shifting boundary between land and sea. Environmental data, including flood-maps and sea-change records, emerge subtly in his work, drawing attention to some of the most pressing ecological issues of our time whilst maintaining a poetic sensibility. He has participated in projects worldwide, and his work is held in numerous notable collections, including the Royal Scottish Academy and the City of Edinburgh.

• BA (Hons) Drawing & Painting, First Class, Edinburgh College of Art, UK, 2010;
  Royal Scottish Academy Scholarship to Florence, Italy, 2010
• Principally based in The Scottish Borders, UK + also working in Athens, Greece

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2031: Where Once the Waters, European Capital of Culture, Victoria, Gozo

2024: Light on Water, The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, UK

2022: Where Once the Waters, Latteria Moderna, Venice, Italy

2019, 2020: Rising Horizon / Horizon Rising, The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh;
Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum & Arts Centre, North Uist, UK

2016: Perimetri Perduti, British Institute of Florence, Italy

Selected Group Exhibitions, Screenings & Projects

2026: Past, Present, Future – The Royal Scottish Academy in the Scottish Borders, Hawick, UK

2025–26: Nature Turns, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK

2025: Till, Alt-w Production Award commission, Aberdeen Performing Arts, Aberdeen, UK

2023: Ships in Distress off a Rocky Coast, Christie’s, London, UK

2023: 500 Years (performance) Christie’s, London, UK

2023: Points of Return, Umbrella Arts, Massachusetts, USA

2022: I AM WATER – Letter to Rhea (New York billboard) EcoArtSpace, NY, USA

2019: As Coastline is to Ocean, An Talla Solais, Ullapool, UK

2016: Art Speaks Out (screening series) Istanbul Modern, Turkey; MAXXI Museum, Rome, Italy

Recurring: UN Climate Change Conferences (COP21, 26, 27 & 29), Paris; Glasgow; Sharm el-Sheikh; Baku

Recurring: Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK

Recurring: Royal Scottish Academy Open Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK

Selected Awards

Award: World Water Film Festival Best Experimental (2026)

Award: Alt-w / New Media Scotland Production Award (2025)

Award: Royal Scottish Academy Benno Schotz Prize (2018)

Award: Winsor & Newton Prize for Watercolour Innovation (first place, 2016)

Award: Royal Watercolour Society Contemporary Competition (first place, 2012)

Award: Royal Society of Marine Artists’ Young Artist Award (first place, 2011)

Finalist: Sir John Hurt Art Award (2020)

Shortlisted: John Ruskin Prize (2025)

Talks, Workshops & Public Programmes

Selected invitations include Christie’s (London), the Royal Scottish Academy (Edinburgh), the British Institute of Florence, Fruitmarket Gallery (Edinburgh), University of Iceland (Reykjavík), University of Westminster (London), University of New Hampshire, Umbrella Arts Center (Massachusetts), Edinburgh College of Art, Isle of Man College, Borders College