David has been heavily involved in a number of community art initiatives in south London. This included a short period as a Director and Chair of The Brixton Artists Collective (BAC) in the early 1990s. After three years involved in BAC he co-founded Artsway Ltd, a promotion company for visual and performance artists in the UK.
The company was behind several programmes combining art, poetry and music at London venues such as the Southwark Play house, The Oval Theatre and Questors Theatre Ealing.
In recent years he has worked with a number of local charities on art-related projects. This includes conducting workshops for The Powerhouse, a charity in east London run by and for women with learning disabilities.
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His experience of public art programmes includes the following mural projects:
'New York City is a Rollercoaster'
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Working on 'New York City is a Rollercoaster' the first collaboration between NYC Department of Transportation, the Office of the Mayor and Groundswell Community Mural Project. In 2008, a small team of artists including muralists Belle Benfield and Chris Beck, designed an image to modernise and rejuvenate the entrance to a 900-foot-long subway underpass previously seen as a dark and unwelcoming tunnel. It featured a vivid representation of the history and diversity to be found in Washington Heights.
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Rise of the Phoenix
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Rise of the Phoenix was a commission by Phoenix FTA, an environmental consultancy. The task was to create a mural on an office wall, incorporating the company logo and using primarily primary colours to bring the wall to life! The phoenix was adapted to fit centrally to a wall against a narrow corridor above a heater. Phoenix FTA's mission is to empower businesses across the globe to implement practical sustainability solutions that fulfil their wants and needs. Through respectful dialogue and empirical knowledge sharing they aim to inspire individuals and help identify opportunities that'll improve the effective use of global resources. For further information on Phoenix FTA please visit www.PhoenixFTA.com
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The St. Raphael’s Family Wellbeing Centre Mural
Created in early 2021, in collaboration with nine individuals, aged 11-16, from the St. Raphael’s Estate, North West London, under the UK's Covid 19 lockdown conditions. The project was in partnership with Brent Council and MindSpray.
The artwork is the interpretation of their original drawings and images that reflect the togetherness and diversity within the estate.This mural has brought the greenery of the estate inside and celebrates the vibrant colours and patterns of the multi-cultural community. Other elements such as the wings and quotation hope to inspire others to explore their creative potential and follow their aspiration.
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Community Art is a valuable and underutilized communication tool, often overcoming the obstacles behavioural and linguistic problems pose. Wherever possible art and creative initiatives should be supported due to the social, environmental and economic benefits they bring. Participants have the ability to learn new skills, enjoying a fun and creative process whilst seeing the fruits of their efforts. Children are keen to show their parents and teenagers and young adults are equally proud to show their work to their peer group and neighbours. David is very keen and enthusiastic towards working with others on projects which support community development, ownership and participation.

Testimonials
' David approaches tasks in a measured and thoughtful way, ensuring clarity of action and decision making. He has a calm control of situations and can be trusted to deliver. I have no hesitation in recommending him.'
Greham Raynham Director at Bond Bryan Architects Ltd
'David Emmanuel worked as an Art Session Facilitator for Powerhouse in Summer 2012... David was a great asset to the group, bringing creativity and a sense of fun to the Art sessions. Members warmed to him immediately and thoroughly enjoyed working with him. He is a confident teacher and is highly competent in facilitating workshops around art, expression and wellbeing.'
Leonora Bennett
Former Group Facilitator, Powerhouse

‘David is an artist whose strokes of creativity are not limited to the use of a paint brush. As well as his art that was exhibited in the Ealing PopUpShop, David’s promotional ideas and imagination helped to make the Council-run pop up shop a resounding success. He was a pleasure to work with and I would recommend his work and services to anyone in need of artistic inspiration.’
Lemuel Dickie-Johnson
Regeneration Department, London Borough of Ealing