
Contemporary
British Artist
Derek Dickinson




























































Collaborative Exhibition - Lisk Gallery, Liskeard, Cornwall - 2023
Dreaming in Colour and Shape - Daa Art Online Exhibition - 2023
MA Contemporary Art Practice - Graduation Show - University of Plymouth, Devon - 2022
Collaborative Exhibition - KARST Gallery, Plymouth, Devon - 2021
Gallery Shtorm Inaugural Online Exhibition - 2021
Equilibrium & Chaos - Collaborative Exhibition - Gallery Shtorm in residence at Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, London - 2021
Summer Exhibition - Royal Academy of Arts, London - 2020
Collaborative Exhibition - Host Galleries, Plymouth, Devon - 2019
Solo Exhibition - Scholars, St Germans, Cornwall - 2019
Solo Exhibition - Scholars, St Germans, Cornwall - 2018
Solo Exhibition - Long Gallery, St Germans, Cornwall - 2016
Collaborative Exhibition - Artmill Gallery, Plymouth, Devon - 2017
Collaborative Exhibition - Artmill Gallery, Plymouth, Devon - 2016
Collaborative Exhibition - Artmill Gallery, Plymouth, Devon - 2015
Solo Exhibition - The Pipe Gallery, Plymouth, Devon - 2012
Collaborative Exhibition - Modern Artist Gallery, Pangbourne, Berkshire - 2012
Collaborative Exhibition - Royal William Yard, Plymouth, Devon - 2010
Collaborative Exhibition - Royal William Yard, Plymouth, Devon - 2009
Solo Exhibition - The Gallery, Liskeard, Cornwall - 2009

Biography
Derek Dickinson (b.1960) originates from southwest England. In 1983 he relocated to London and worked as a designer and stylist for film, photography, television, video and performance, as an assistant director on music videos, in artist management and PR, predominantly associated with the music industry.
After returning to the South West Derek began studying art at Plymouth City College. Which then lead to a BA (Hons) in Fine Art at the University of Plymouth in 2010. In 2019 he returned to the University of Plymouth and attained an MA in Fine Art in 2022.
Derek has exhibited work in numerous solo and collaborative shows, including at the Royal Academy London, in Berlin and southwest England. His work is in permanent collections in the USA, Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Germany, Spain and the UK.
Derek resides in a remote farm cottage on the Duchy of Cornwall Estate.
Statement
My practice is predominantly autobiographical, considering human existence, including some of the more challenging aspects of life.
Movement is a key factor in my work, an abstraction of fluid forms reflecting my interest in the endeavour of existence. My canvas works, often employing acrylic paint and muslin, explore spirituality through textural forms.
In the past, I worked predominantly in monochrome. In effect removing all colour, working in pure white, occasionally introducing tones of grey and black. Working in monochromatic white allowed me to strip away anything superfluous from the composition, allowing the viewer to focus solely on the sentiment of the piece.
In time I began exploring the reintroduction of colour, primarily using the primary colours, seeing if they might bring new meaning and strengths to the work. Expressionistic yet controlled, muslin is thrown repeatedly and teased until the ethos of the piece is revealed. The minimalistic canvases’ rich textures reveal delicate and sensual figures.
I have an interest in performers and have investigated many artists, including Rudolf Nureyev and Vaslav Nijinsky, interested in their undying commitment to their art despite the suffering it can often entail. I used the image of the performer as a metaphor for human tribulation.
Over time the conceptual expressions of emotion have become increasingly more figurative. Elements of soulful musicality and dance are present in the works, exploring the philosophy of the performer and reflecting on human vulnerability.
