Artist Captivates Audience with Portrait Creations

Renowned performance artist David Garibaldi brought his trademark rhythm, color, culture and energy to the stage during an April 22 “Rhythm and Hue” performance at Westminster. David is known for captivating audiences with his high-energy creation of six-foot portraits of pop icons, CEOs, rock stars and sports figures in a matter of minutes to music. (Click to view the Image Gallery of large photos of the performance.)

As Westminster students and faculty cheered, David created dramatic portraits of the recording artists Jay-Z and Lady Gaga. He also shared his life story and talked about what inspires his work. “I let the music help me paint the portrait,” he said. “Normally, the crowd makes a lot of noise.”

And as he began his third portrait, he explained, “This next image is someone close to your heart and someone who used this platform to further the success of others.” With mounting curiosity and even more cheering, a portrait of Headmaster Graham Cole emerged, much to Headmaster Cole’s surprise. After completing the portrait, David talked about Headmaster Cole’s lifelong passion for education and challenged the Sixth Form to devote some time to discussing their passions during their limited time left on the Hill. “Ask yourselves how you can bring value to others,” he said. His final portrait was of Albert Einstein.

Following the show, David answered questions from the audience, including one about how he prepares for performances. “I have an idea of what I am going to create, I try to rehearse it like a band and I learn how to perform it,” he said. “But you never know what will happen in the moment, based upon the audience’s energy and the music.” He added that he can spend up to a week preparing to create a portrait.

David, who was born in Los Angeles in 1982, began creating at an early age, but it was not until he turned away from a life of graffiti in the streets and got through some hard times that he began turning his illustrations on paper into paintings on canvas. He painted at live urban jazz sessions, nightclubs and hip hop events and eventually created his “Rhythm and Hue” live performance art show, which he has given around the world. David is also a motivational speaker and uses his platform to inspire others to pursue their passions. His Westminster performance was a part of the Graham Gund Visiting Artist Series.

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