Early life
David Ross McDiarmid was born on 5 September 1952 in Hobart.
He was a determined, serious, and original child.
In 1969, he started studying design for film and television at Swinburne Technical College in Melbourne, but dropped out in 1970 to pursue a career as an artist.
Artistic career
McDiarmid held three exhibitions in the early years of his career: ‘Secret Love’ (1976); ‘The Australian Dream Lounge’ (1977); and ‘New Work: David McDiarmid’ (1978).
In July 1978, several of his artworks were featured at a LGBTQ+ exhibition in Sydney, for which he also designed the posters.
McDiarmid moved to the United States in 1979 to further his career. He would periodically return to Sydney for exhibitions of his work and for Mardi Gras.
He hand-painted fabrics for Linda Jackson, a Sydney fashion designer. They appeared in fashion parades, and were even shown at the ‘Art Clothes at the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ exhibition between 1980 and 1981.
In 1984, several of McDiarmid’s New York paintings were exhibited in Sydney. His work was also shown at several group exhibitions between 1985 and 1986.
After being diagnosed with HIV in 1986, McDiarmid moved back to Australia, serving as the artistic director of the Sydney Mardi Gras between 1988 and 1990. The AIDS Council of New South Wales later commissioned him to create several posters promoting safe sex and safe injecting.
His subsequent work focused on homophobia.
Gay activism
On 24 June 1978, McDiarmid participated in the demonstration that became the founding event for the Sydney Mardi Gras.
He went on to became a strong advocate for gay rights. He also backed appropriate medical treatment for people suffering from HIV-AIDS.
In the early-1970s, he wrote for the Sydney Gay Liberation Newsletter, which he also illustrated.
Death and legacy
McDiarmid passed away at his home in Darlinghurst on 25 May 1995. He was 43-years-old.
His fame as an artist, designer, and activist grew after his death, with several posthumous exhibitions held both in Australia and England.
