In Processing Paintings, Dr Outi Remes, former Director of the SHP Bracknell Galleries at South Hill Park Arts Centre, analyses the processes employed by Derek Hill in his paintings from the Flaw series.
In “Flaw”, the new work exhibited at the Bracknell Galleries, South Hill Park Arts Centre, in 2011, Dr Remes notes that Hill explores the extremes of traditional painting media in a non-traditional manner. His surroundings constantly inspire him, creating a cycle of techniques and processes that provide ongoing momentum for his work. Hill often works on up to ten canvases at the same time and believes that the process of creation is just as important as the finished piece.
Preparing his canvases and mixing paint has become a kind of ritual for Hill. The canvases are set up to resemble shallow baths on wooden and board stretchers. He employs a variety of media, including resins, glue, solvents, industrial paint, and traditional oil paints. This multitude of materials is mixed and applied over the course of months by pouring the liquid mixture directly onto the canvas surfaces.
Dr Outi Remes is currently the Director at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham, Surrey.
