Dean Melbourne is a painter that explores the human need or desire to escape reality. Whether in the cynical re-contextualising of his fashion “Idols” or the romantic staging in his figurative landscapes.
Melbourne is an avid collector of images that he finds seductive. Working from a variety of sources he appropriates these images, reflects on them, edits and re casts to reflect his own pre occupations.
The result is a new image or narrative that can be understood in its own right. The viewer has the choice to examine the symbolism of the components and challenge the image, or simply to indulge in the beauty and escape found there.
Dean Melbourne (b.1976) graduated with a BA(hons)Painting from University of Wolverhampton in 1999. He has exhibited nationally including the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2009 and 2010 and has recently been represented by Debut Contemporary Gallery in London.
Current and Upcoming
Solo Show, Bryant Priest Newman, Birmingham,
Sept 2011The Fall Of The Majestic Elk, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, November 2011
Past
2011 Debut, Debut Contemporary, Notting Hill, London
2011 AA2A Exhibition at University of Wolverhampton. April 2010 Royal Academy, Summer Exhibition , London
2010 North Worcester Open, Artrix Centre, Bromsgrove
2009 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy, London
2009 Moment, The Viner Gallery, Wolverhampton Grammar School, Wolverhampton
2009 Past In Present, Artworks Gallery, Newcastle Upon Tyne
2009 Surface Gallery Open 09, Surface Gallery, Nottingham
2009 Staffordshire Open, Shire Hall Gallery Stafford.
2008 079Exhibition. Lichfield Passage, Wolverhampton.
2008 The Something Foundation, The Churchill Citizens Club, Acocks Green, Birmingham
2006 Claire Gallery, Hockley, Birmingham.
2005 City Art. Hockley, Birmingham
2004 Holocaust Memorial Exhibition. Netherton Arts Centre.
2004 Mid Art Open Exhibition, Himley Hall.
2003 Instincts of Attraction, Living Galley, Stourbridge
2003 Mid Art 2003 Himley Hall, Dudley
2002 Mid Art 2002 Himley Hall Dudley
2002 Tell the Truth Shame the Devil, Levenshulme, Manchester
2000 Tell the Truth Shame the Devil Custard factory Birmingham
1999 What is Drawing? Waiting Room Gallery Wolverhampton
Grants/Awards
09 - 10 AA2A Scheme, Fine Art Print, Wolverhampton University Projects
2009 Contemporary Life Drawing Workshop, Diana and Actaeon – The Forbidden Gaze, Compton Verney
Featured in Royal Academy Illustrated 2009
Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil, Review, AN Jan 2001
