Footprints & Frames - solo exhibition by David Fernandes

Footprints & Frames
A Retrospective by David Flaviano Fernandes

Carpe Diem Art Gallery is about to launch a new solo exhibition titled “Footprints & Frames”, a retrospective exhibition by David Flaviano Fernandes — designer, teacher, and artist whose creative journey has spanned over five decades across India and beyond.

From the bustling studios of Bombay’s advertising world to the quiet coastal villages of Goa, David’s life traces the path of a true visual storyteller. A graduate of J.J. School of Art, he began his career amidst some of the greatest names in Indian advertising — AlyquePadamsee, Gerson da Cunha, and Sylvester da Cunha — contributing to memorable campaigns for brands like Air India, Liril, and Rin. His experience in set and exhibition design further refined his eye for composition, perspective, and narrative — qualities that continue to shape his art.

Before art became his lifelong pursuit, David was an accomplished sportsman — a first-division hockey player and a talented runner during his school and college years. That same energy and discipline now echo through his artistic process, where rhythm, movement, and observation come together in every brushstroke.

When David eventually made Goa his home, his creative journey took a more personal turn. He began exploring tile painting and miniatures under the guidance of Thomas Chase, and soon developed a signature style rooted in the textures and rhythms of Goan life — fishermen casting their nets, quiet backwaters, coconut palms, and seashell-strewn shores. His works have since travelled far beyond Goa, finding homes in London, Canada, New York, and Australia, carrying with them a quiet nostalgia and warmth.

His earlier solo exhibition at Carpe Diem, titled “Goan Crazy”held in 2018, celebrated his deep connection to Goan identity through playful, vivid depictions of everyday life. Now, with “Footprints & Frames”, David revisits the many creative chapters that have shaped his journey — from the energetic days of Bombay’s ad world to his reflective years in South Goa.

At 77, David remains as curious and inventive as ever. He continues to conduct art workshops both in Bombay and in Goa, and every Sunday, he hosts art classes at Carpe Diem, inspiring both children and adults to rediscover creativity in their own unique ways. His approach to art is deeply human — accessible, therapeutic, and grounded in connection. “It’s not for the rich,” he says. “I paint for the common man — so that every home can have a piece of my art.”

To those who know him, David is more than just an artist — he’s family. His warmth, humour, and generosity fill the space at Carpe Diem, where he has been a constant presence since its inception. As he fondly says, “Carpe Diem is my second home.”

“Footprints & Frames” brings together paintings, sketches, and design works that trace the arc of David’s remarkable life. Each work is a footprint of memory and a frame of meaning — celebrating not just the art he has created, but the lives and stories he has touched along the way.

The opening of “Footprints & Frames”, a solo art show by David Fernandes will be on Friday, 18th October 2025 at 7 pm at Carpe Diem Art Gallery, Majorda, South Goa. The exhibition will continue be on display until 9th November 2025.