Untitled Unfinished. 1998. 5’ x 4’. oil, lead, copper on wood with digital work. Copyright © David Joel A brief Biography for a Life Extended “The difference between my upbringing and a goose raised for pate is that the goose is allowed to stand up. It’s true, I was coddled like a liver destined for foie gras.” - David Joel David Joel was born in Manhattan in September of 1963. He began making sculptures when he 13 years old. “My father’s Uncle was a pretty famous sculptor in Mexico.” Enrique Gottdiener Soto was a sculptor primarily based in Merida Yucatan. He was affiliated with the more famous Mexican muralists, Rivera, Siqueiros and Orozco. A staunch Communist, Gottdiener rarely traveled to the United States but in 1976 he made the trip. “I was eating an apple with a knife, carving a face in the apple as I ate.” Gottdiener spotted the activity and asked to see the apple. Upon viewing the face he declared, “He will be a sculptor.” Inspired, David began carving wood. “We used to travel to Mexico. I grew up looking at a lot of Mexican art. My mother is an artist. There was always art around the house: art and books. My mothers’ cousin was William Steig the New Yorker cartoonist. He carved statues too and also wrote books. My mothers’ father was friends with the photographer Weegee. I remember coming across some of his works and a book or two. There was always an artistic influence looming somewhere in the house. My father was originally trained as an opera singer so there was that music thing happening too.” David attended the School of Visual Arts but was diagnosed with cancer in his 3rd semester. He had to take a semester off but was able to return and graduated from SVA with his BFA. David soon found a job working as an assistant to the artist Larry Rivers and remained an assistant for about 16 years until Rivers’ passing in August of 2002. During the years working for Rivers, David encountered additional bouts with cancer, surgeries, months of chemotherapy and numerous subsequent debilitating medical issues. Rivers willingness to take David back after periods of illness, left an impression on David and helped to build a strong loyalty and support for his friend and mentor Larry Rivers. Shortly after painting Harvest: A State of Affairs for the Grange Hall restaurant in Manhattan’s West Village, David was given a show in SOHO at Gallery 13, followed by a show in March of 1994 at Fischbach Gallery. He was commissioned by Scholastic Magazine to illustrate a cover depicting the diverse ethnicities attributed to the founding of the United States of America. David’s painted guitar was used to create the CD cover art for Caroline Doctorow’s 2001 CD “That Changes Everything.” His paintings are in various private collections throughout the U.S. Since 2002 David has served as the chief archivist for the Estate Larry Rivers. He was instrumental in organizing the efforts of the Larry Rivers Foundation. In 2006 he was elected to serve as director for the Larry Rivers Foundation. Always committed to his efforts to advocate on behalf of Larry Rivers’ legacy, David has actively been refocusing his efforts to include dedicating the rest of his life to his own paintings, sculptures and writings. David recently completed Commerce: Common Ground for the Sisters’ Story, a mural for a new restaurant (Commerce) in an old location. To read a more detailed biography, click here.