David Silverberg

David Silverberg was born in Montréal in 1936. By the age of seven he was already studying art under the tutelage of Group of Seven master Arthur Lismer. In 1957, he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts from McGill University. That same year, he studied etching and engraving with William Hayter at Atelier 17 in Paris, and was influenced by those around him, including Max Ernst, Marc Chagall, and Matta. Silverberg soon started to develop a unique, personal style to produce beautiful engravings.

Not content with a single medium any more than a single subject, Silverberg also works in batik, ceramics, Japanese woodcut, and photography. Silverberg's interest and research into his heritage is evident in many individual engravings on Jewish themes. He has delved into stage design, creating sets for the DancEast production of Nutcracker.

Silverberg's passion for art and travel is legendary. He has voyaged around the world, visiting and/or living in more than 80 countries. His critically acclaimed work has been the subject of 185 solo exhibits in North America and abroad. In 1991 and 1992, Silverberg was invited by the Chinese government to travel, work, teach, and exhibit throughout China. Many of the books in Silverberg's fine collection were acquired on these travels.

In 1984, Silverberg was appointed a member of the Royal Canadian Academy, and in 1986, was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, London, England.

In 1995, Silverberg joined Acadia University as artist-in–residence after holding the position of Professor in the Department of Fine Arts for many years at Mount Allison University. He still works at his studio at 17 Hillside Avenue in Wolfville.

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