David Lock’s paintings question how masculinity is constructed—treating it not as fixed, but as fluid, fragile, and culturally performed.
Using a collagist approach, Lock assembles imagery from magazines and mainstream media, then translates these compositions into paintings that deconstruct idealised representations of men.
There’s vulnerability in his process. By breaking down these ideals, Lock reveals the uncertainty beneath—the gap between cultural expectations and lived experience.
As artist Steve Cox observes: “Lock suggests that [male identity] is a fragile edifice constructed on the shifting sands of unreliable cultural constraints.”
In exposing this instability, Lock’s work asks not just what masculinity is, but whether it can—or should—be defined at all.
Discover David Lock’s work on Gertrude.
See David’s work now in the ‘Gender Stories’ exhibition at @brighton_museums and when it tours to @walkerartgallery .
#ContemporaryPainting #MasculinityInArt #CollageProcess #EmergingArtists #ContemporaryArtUK
Enjoyed seeing my painting ‘El Muniria’ in ‘Gender Stories’, which opened last night in its third and final run at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. I loved how the painting was situated between a Hockney and Catherine Opie. Was great too to see work by Del La Grace Volcano, Mark Wardell and Ree S. Bradley whose 16mm film on a men’s support group completely blew me away @counterrehearsals
Lovely to see you @katherine__lloyd@mark_wardel and @dominicjamesbilton
With thanks to Charlotte, Melissa, Ann and all at the Walker @walkerartgallery
The exhibition is now on until 31st August #genderstories #walkerartgallery
Delighted to announce ‘Gender Stories’ opening next Thursday 14th May in its third and final showing at Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool @walkerartgallery
The exhibition asks what is gender? How have ideas about it changed over time? These questions and more will be explored in the exhibition created in collaboration with Bristol Museum and Brighton and Hove Museum. The show also features work by David Hockney, Catherine Opie, Rene Matic, Grayson Perry, Del LaGrace Volcano and Red Bradley whose still from ‘The Mind is a Muscle’ features here and detail of ‘El Muniria’ by David Lock. Dates 16th May - 31st August 2026 #walkerartgallery #genderstories
I have this work available ‘Blue Shorts, Torso’ in a curated online group of works titled ‘Under A Monkey’ just released @gertrude__art
There’s a great selection of artists represented all showing various works all under £500.
Do check it out by following the link in my bio. #gertrude
I have several oil paintings available on Gertrude @gertrude__art including ‘Misfit (Judd)’ which is currently featured in 10 Men Magazine to accompany the article ‘What Makes A Modern Man Sexy’. Each painting is oil on panel and measures 31 x 23 cm
#gertrude #davidlock_art
Delighted to share my latest contribution to 10 Men Magazine @10menmagazine Issue 63 ‘Classic, Craft, Nostalgia’.
What Makes A Modern Man Sexy? Taino Mendez @mendezauthor ponders the laws of attraction. Accompanying artwork ‘Misfit (Judd)’. Out now!
With thanks to Paul Toner @pltnr Sophia @10magazine and all at 10! ❤️
#10menmagazine #10men #oilonpanel #davidlock_art
I am delighted to donate this artwork to the Terrence Higgins Trust Auction, 2026 @terrencehigginstrust
‘Bearded Guy in Blue Cap and Checked Shirt’ 2026, watercolour and pencil on paper, 29.7 x 23 cm. It’s beautifully framed under AR museum glass with UV protection. This painting is from my singular ‘Other’ series, which draws upon masculinities as a multifaceted, fluid and ever-changing process.
It’s for a great cause, to support the charity in its commitment to HIV research and support.
It’s a timed auction which is open from now until 30th March, culminating in a live auction. To view or bid you can register at theauctioncollective.com @theauctioncollective
Dear everyone, thanks for your concerns I am out of hospital now and on the mend.
In the meantime before announcing new projects, I am delighted to once again be donating an artwork to the Terrence Higgins Trust Auction 2026 @thtorguk
This year will be the 5th year I have donated. These are the artworks from previous editions of the auction - all unique paintings.
Tomorrow I will share the artwork I have donated for this year’s edition.
It’s for a great cause, to support the charity in its commitment to HIV research and support.
It’s a timed auction which is open from now until 30th March. More details to follow.
1. MA-1 Kiss, 2018, oil on panel, 61 x 46cm
2. Misfit (Bear), 2021, oil on panel, 31 x 23cm
3. Misfit (Bear) ll, 2021, oil on panel, 31 x 23cm
4. Misfit (Model), 2024, watercolour, 21 x 15cm
#thtauction #terrencehigginstrust #charityauction
![David Lock’s paintings question how masculinity is constructed—treating it not as fixed, but as fluid, fragile, and culturally performed.Using a collagist approach, Lock assembles imagery from magazines and mainstream media, then translates these compositions into paintings that deconstruct idealised representations of men.
There’s vulnerability in his process. By breaking down these ideals, Lock reveals the uncertainty beneath—the gap between cultural expectations and lived experience.
As artist Steve Cox observes: “Lock suggests that [male identity] is a fragile edifice constructed on the shifting sands of unreliable cultural constraints.”
In exposing this instability, Lock’s work asks not just what masculinity is, but whether it can—or should—be defined at all.Discover David Lock’s work on Gertrude.See David’s work now in the ‘Gender Stories’ exhibition at @brighton_museums and when it tours to @walkerartgallery.#ContemporaryPainting #MasculinityInArt #CollageProcess #EmergingArtists #ContemporaryArtUK](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6766344939225749471217_0_3e62b7575e02c0a02314717d031daf71.jpg?o=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&h=314398696b6ac18123b41569900a58dd)
