David makes art with ecology, to inquire, learn and teach. He publishes, exhibits and works internationally with ecosystems and their inhabitants, using images, poetic texts, walking and sculptural installations to generate dialogues that question climate, species and cultural crises, urban systems and transdisciplinarity for ‘critical recovery’ and ‘capable futures’. He, also, works as a consultant on biological recycling and urban farming projects, creates online educational resources and lives on Walney Island.
David’s work includes: VIEWPOINT (2016-19), a dialogue between some lakes, a catchment of rivers, a confluence, the people of Cockermouth and time. A Walk on the Wild Side 2004-18) / Walkabout the City (2015-16) urban ecology performed through acts of community walking; Making Our Futures: the Art of Sustainable Living (2008- 20) research, learning and teaching to survive Climate Change in China, Taiwan, Spain and Manchester; Life Support System (2012-13), Five Elements for Hong Kongers living with Climate Change; Meantime… Desert Poetics (2012-13), a poetic mapping of global desertification; A Dialogue with Oysters: the Art of Facilitation (2008- on-going), a new creation myth emerging from the mingling of freshwater and rising seas; The Writing on the Wall (2007-19), a series of poetic texts, written and performed to challenge our response to Climate Change in Germany, Taiwan, and the UK.
David is an independent artist, ecopedagogue and Visiting Professor at Zhongyuan University of Technology; Vice Chair of the CIWEM Art & Environment Network; Mentor/Advisor (founder) of Futures’ Venture Foundation; a Trustee of Chrysalis Arts Development, Art Gene and Barrow’s Beautiful Places; a member of the ecoart network, UK Urban Ecology Forum, Ramsar Cultural Network and an idea…. From 2007 to 2016, he was a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Ecology In Practice Research Group, Manchester Metropolitan University.
www.facebook.com/david.haley.39794895
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2778-5031

Bamboo Eco Pavilion, commissioned by Chinese University Hong Kong and Five Elements Project for the Kai Tak River Festival.

Bamboo Eco Pavilion, commissioned by Chinese University Hong Kong and Five Elements Project for the Kai Tak River Festival.

Photograph of ash tree at the confluence of the rivers Cocker and Derwent. HLF supported project, commissioned by Riversmeet Community Coop.

Postgraduate Landscape Architecture students from Manchester Metropolitan University questioning urban development that eradicates wildlife from mature brownfield sites.

One of twelve rocks with Haiku poems, installation at the confluence of the rivers Cocker and Derwent. HLF supported project, commissioned by Riversmeet Community Coop. (carving Pip Hall).

Eighty-one Haiku poems, written onto the gallery wall in charcoal, for Extreme Views: Think Tank exhibition. Commissioned by Art Gene.

One of many Wild Walks in Manchester and other places, with communities to consider how we might live with climate and species crises in urban futures. Commissioned by Urbis, Manchester; funded by Arts Council North West and Manchester Metropolitan University.