Derick Melander

"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. In 1994 I earned my B.F.A. 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. My exhibition schedule intensified in 2000 and since then I've shown in New York City venues such as Artists Space, Repetti, Debs & Co. and Brent Sikkema. I have also shown at The Soap Factory, MN, Goucher College, MD as well as the Solyanka Gallery, Moscow, Russia. In 2002 I co-founded the arts organization TAG Projects. As an organizer and curator, I produced 5 successful exhibitions. I currently run a monthly art discussion group and in the fall of '08 I will participate in the residency program at Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts. " Photograph by David Rinella