Biography

I was born in Saratoga Springs, NY in 1964. My father is an abstract painter, known for combining unusual materials such as Polystyrene foam, house paint, mirrored glass and contact paper. In 1985 I earned my Associate Degree in Communications from Elizabeth Seton College in Yonkers, NY where I studied music programming, film making, acting and graphic design. Shortly after graduation I moved to Philadelphia where I worked as an assistant to the artist Jerry Goodman. During those years I sang in a band and postered the streets with hand-printed graphics and poems.

In 1987, I moved to NYC. I taught nursery school and joined a second band called “The Glory Stompers.” Soon thereafter I signed a lease on my first art studio, which I still have.

I earned my B.F.A. in 1994 from The School of Visual Arts where I was the recipient of The Chairman’s Grant and had the opportunity to study with Roni Horn, Peter Halley, Alice Aycock and Donald Kuspit. A few years after graduating, I began a second career in advertising and I currently freelance half the year as an information architect. I began showing regulary in 2000 and in 2002 I co-founded the arts organization TAG Projects. As an organizer and curator, I produced 5 successful exhibitions. My exhibition schedule intensified during this period and since then I’ve shown in New York area venues such as The Katonah Museum of Art, The Queens Museum or Art, Black and White Gallery and Repetti. I have also shown at Goucher College, MD, ADA Gallery, VA, The Soap Factory, MN, as well as the Solyanka Gallery, Moscow, Russia. This past December I did a special project with ADA Gallery and The Scope Foundation for Scope Miami.

This fall I will be doing a large-scale community based event with CENYC and I have a solo show scheduled with Vox Populi in Philadelphia, PA

© Derick Melander, 2009

More info at www.derickmelander.com