Dean views the human body as 'a holding pen for emotions' and so his figures represent vessels that contain both ideas and emotions. Following Reich's research on 'armoring', Dean envisages the body as 'a memory bank - a thinking body. ... As the world gets more congested, so will peoples' bodies'.
This is our first show in New York of Graham Dean's evocative and striking watercolors, having shown his work regularly, and with great success, since 2004 in our London gallery. Dean has exhibited internationally for over 30 years and his work can be found in numerous private and public collections throughout the world. He lives and works in Brighton, England.
All works from the exhibition can be viewed online, and by appointment at 15, East 76th St. We are open Monday - Friday 9.30-6. The show includes small intimate paintings of the human body and face as well as large, bold works of a variety of subjects. We have some works framed for display, but as we generally sell his pieces unframed, they can be shipped easily and inexpensively.
Using a method which he calls 'reverse archaeology', Graham Dean re-invents the traditional uses of watercolor resulting in a unique technique. Contrasting layers of paint are applied separately on very thick, handmade paper from Southern India. In larger works, separate pieces are glued together with the joins forming an integral and intentional part of the work.
His images are recomposed in a creative alchemy, mixing people, body parts and time itself. Although the works are representational, they escape the illustrational to reach a universal form from something deeply personal. He has also used buildings, mysterious ships, confessionals in churches, forests and trains to enhance these atmospheric moods.
Dean views the human body as 'a holding pen for emotions' and so his figures represent vessels that contain both ideas and emotions. Following Reich's research on 'armoring', Dean envisages the body as 'a memory bank - a thinking body. ... As the world gets more congested, so will peoples' bodies'. These core themes were the basis for his first solo exhibition at Waterhouse & Dodd; subsequent shows, including this, continue to explore the human condition and how our environments affect us. Dean also accepts commissions.
Sandra Safta Waterhouse.
