David Cooley is the eldest son of Billy and Lulu Cooley, a renowned husband and wife carving partnership from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands in South Australia. Born in the bush at Mulga Park Station, David lives with his family on their homeland east of Amata Community. He has worked variously with the CDEP Community works program, as a Community Police Aide and currently works with the local Amata Community School.