Requiem for a Lost World is a solo exhibition of paintings and works on paper by artist John Derrick. These artworks were created in the last two years, including when Melbourne was in lockdown due to COVID 19. This exhibition explores broadly the theme of divergence away from our normal way of life due to the current crises the world finds itself in. The world has gone through massive upheaval with COVID 19 restrictions, violations of human rights by autocratic leaders of its own citizens and especially women, the war in Ukraine, climate change, mistrust in institutions including organised religion, the increasing cost of living, advances in technology and the refugee crisis that has led to instability and unrest. This collection of artworks is representative of the artist’s deeply personal response to a world in flux.
John Derrick is based in Melbourne, Australia. He has had over twenty years of solo and group exhibitions, nationally and internationally. He was awarded a prestigious Samstag Scholarship and spent two years studying painting at Pratt Institute in New York. He has been a finalist in various art prizes such as the Percival Portrait Prize, Doug Moran Portrait Prize, Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing, Substation Contemporary Art Prize, and the Metro Five Art Prize. He completed his PHD at RMIT University in 2010 where he combined analogue and virtual painting media in an immersive installation.
