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Requiem for a Lost World | John Derrick

Next date: Saturday, 03 June 2023 | 09:00 PM to Sunday, 04 June 2023 | 04:00 PM

Requiem for a Lost World is a solo exhibition of paintings and works on paper by artist John Derrick. These artworks were created in the last two years, including when Melbourne was in lockdown due to COVID 19. This exhibition explores broadly the theme of divergence away from our normal way of life due to the current crises the world finds itself in. The world has gone through massive upheaval with COVID 19 restrictions, violations of human rights by autocratic leaders of its own citizens and especially women, the war in Ukraine, climate change, mistrust in institutions including organised religion, the increasing cost of living, advances in technology and the refugee crisis that has led to instability and unrest. These paintings and works on paper blend figuration and abstraction using a vibrant and colourful palette. Drawing and painting are considered not as separate modes of artist enquiry but mutually compatible in the one artform. This collection of artworks is representative of the artist’s deeply personal response to a world in flux.

John Derrick has had over twenty years of solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. He was awarded a Samstag Scholarship and completed a Master of Fine Art at Pratt Institute in New York. He obtained his PHD at RMIT University, where he explored the intersection of virtual and analogue painting media. He has completed a Bachelor of Fine Art at the Victorian College of the Arts. He has been a finalist in various art prizes including the Percival Portrait Prize, Doug Moran Portrait Prize, Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing, Substation Contemporary Art Prize, and the Metro Five Art Prize.

The exhibition can be viewed during Montsalvat opening hours.