Copyright © 2026 Derek Hill - Artist

DEREK HILL, ARTIST

*Derek John Hill is an artist based in the northeast of England. The collection of artwork showcases Hill’s exceptional and unfaltering work after graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1982. Since 1983, he has linked his art production to collaborative projects with professionals and non-professionals, including residencies and a fellowship. — John Millard 2019

The collections “Flaw” evolved at The Art Studio, when he founded it in 1986 and Hidden Kingdoms, Shifting Worlds at the CBCB, Newcastle University, in 2015.

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About Derek Hill

Derek Hill is an RCA-trained practitioner based in northeast England, recognised for his significant contributions to public engagement in the visual arts.
Shifts in Time: c. 1996–2000s

Flaw

Flaw - the unenviable pursuit of perfection 1994–2014

Hidden Kingdoms - Shifting Worlds

Hidden Kingdoms Shifting Worlds explores connections between art, science and everyday life.

OTHER COLLECTIONS

Lab studies of interacting communities for 'Shifting Worlds'

Artist at the CBCB: 2016-2022

"Hill's work has provided a uniquely different perspective on the interaction between microorganisms.".
'Borders' The Slitrig oil on canvas 2 x 2 metres

Borders 1988-1994

Borders is a collection of oil paintings about identity and belonging.
Component. From the 'Components' series of ink drawings on 300 gsm Somerset paper. 'Components' is part of the 'The Machine' series project.

Components 2019

'Components' is a collective project comprising over 100 individual drawings, inspired by monochrome film studies of individual bacteria.

Etchings - Carnival

Etchings based on travels, family and friendship

Etchings - Feathers & Lace

"Feathers & Lace" was created between 1996-2012, a time of transition.
Giant Fish

Giant Fish 1986–1988

Giant Fish & Jumbos was exhibited at Sunderland's Winter Gardens Museum in 1987

Illuminating Bugs - Research

The collaboration with the Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology at Newcastle University began in 2015
Into the Sun: Ink on 300 gsm A4 paper.

into the sun - drawings 2026

Into the Sun is an adventure story about a camel and rider seeking peace and tranquillity in a vast desert.

Kings & Queens

"Kings & Queens" is a collection of inks, watercolours, liquid compounds, and solutions on Somerset paper.

Machine

“The Machine” is a series of ink drawings created in 1986 as a response to the struggle against alienation.

Press, Reviews and Exhibitions

A selection of press, reviews and exhibitions over the years from 1986 to the present.

Processing paintings

In Processing Paintings, Dr Outi Remes analyses the processes employed by Derek Hill in his paintings from the Flaw series.
The Art Studio, Hind Street

The Art Studio 1986-2012

Derek Hill founded and was the lead artist of the Art Studio, Sunderland, from 1986 to 2012.
Victory and Defeat Etching, 1982. Collection IWM

Victory & Defeat 1982-1985

Victory & Defeat was established at the RCA in 1982.
studio work 2017-2020 mixed media on canvas, 2 x 2 metres.

Work 2017-2020

Examples from 2017 to 2020 demonstrate the process contrast between art studio practice and laboratory research.