GIANT FISH 1986–1988

Giant fish (1986–1988).

The ‘Giant Fish’ paintings celebrate my first two years as a founding artist, with sculptor Chris Sell, of what would become known as the Art Studio in Sunderland. Every day, I would go to the fish quay and collect a variety of fish to paint in my small studio on Norfolk Street in the city centre. Previously, I would hold workshops in various locations across the city that had been assigned for me to visit to attract clients to the studio.

Giant Fish was featured in the Giant Fish & Jumbos exhibition we organized with Tyne and Wear Museums at Sunderland’s Winter Gardens Museum in 1987. The exhibition was curated by Juliette Horsley, the museum’s exhibition officer, and also included artwork from our client group, whom we encouraged to work alongside us when we eventually found premises to use as a studio. Paintings are oil on canvas. Sizes include 2 x 2, 2.5 x 1.25, and 2 x 2.5 meters.

The Art Studio, Sunderland, 1986–2012: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/item/the-art-studio/?cat=84

Current paintings: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/cat/current-paintings/

Archives and other collections: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/cat/about-derek-hill/

YouTube video shorts. Inside the studio: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQteKPuE8QuOHNERlXBbHc7deFr0kzv9k