MICK DEAN

Born in 1946, Mick completed a foundation course at art school in 1963 and went on to study Photography in London. A long career as an advertising photographer followed along with a move into T.V. commercials directing in England, Europe and the USA. After over 35 years in the business, Mick gave it all up to go back to where it began. Art School.

The City and Guilds of London Art School changed Mick’s life. He rediscovered the meaning of pubs, art galleries and overdrafts. He also uncovered a latent desire to paint. His Final show was a sell-out and he left the School with a profound sense of gratitude, a number of prizes and a 1st class Honours degree.

Once again he has his own studio only this time it’s full of canvas, not cameras. He exhibits at a number of galleries in London and the USA.

Statement from Mick Dean
My work is concerned with the effects of erosion on the landscape and on the works of man within that landscape. Living and working mainly in the UK, one of the most predominant forms of erosion is water. Rivers and the tidal flow around our coast have a ceaseless effect, as does the rainfall. I find the tidal parts of the River Thames a source of great inspiration. At low tide a constantly changing river bed is revealed. Erosion is ceaseless and is a process of refinement that can reveal great beauty.

My current body of work is looking at the effects of rusting on ironwork, especially with regard to the remains of our industrial past. Our massive iron and steel industry once supplied the world. Very little of that is left but there are some surprising relics to be found in neglected industrial corners of England.

The Olympics are coming to the East End of London in 2012. This area of London is being transformed ( my studio is in the middle of it) and I am trying to document some of places that will soon disappear under all the re-developement. Much of the area has been derelect for generations and will benefit from the attentions of the developers. Some of the "old" character of the East End will be changed forever. Already this has included the Docklands, the Victorian railway systems and many of the supporting industries. In seeking out the remains of the past I hope to document their passing and reveal their beauty in our increasingly modern landscape. As Camille Pissaro wrote to his son Lucien,

" Happy are those who see beautiful things in modest surroundings or where other men see nothing. Everything is beautiful, all that matters is to know how to interpret it."
Mick Dean 2008 (c)