© Graham Dean
Graham Dean's works are paintings of curious, inimitable beauty. Coining his technique "reverse archaeology", he applies separate, thick layers of paint on handmade paper from Southern India, tearing and overlapping in an organic final composition inspired by the human epidermis.
But he is just as interested as conveying what's inside our bodies – and when he does, he demonstrates a love for "oddball characters", seeing his position as that of the scientific observer and researcher.
These abstract, rich, forensic character studies may have had exotic influences – his use of vivid and powerful colours also has much to thank India for, partly derived from the saris Dean saw during a residency there – but they were first sparked in Birkenhead, where he was born and went to art school.
He's an honorary Brighton resident now, but his return to the widely-respected Williamson is his first in his hometown for 17 years. It also features recent paintings, including ones related to the forthcoming Olympic Games.
"There is nothing timid or tentative about Graham's work," observes Colin Simpson, the Museums Officer for Wirral Council.
"He uses the paint at its most fluid, producing luscious effects that allow the colours to puddle and flow on its hand-made Indian paper.
"The scale is unusual for the medium, and gives the bold shapes and vivid colours room to breathe amongst the textures."
- Open 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday. Admission free.
More pictures:
Dean attended the Laird School of Art in Birkenhead© Graham Dean
Floating© Graham Dean
Dean's previous exhibition at the Williamson was The Green Room, in 1995© Graham Dean
The artist's large-scale watercolours have won international acclaim© Graham Dean
© Graham Dean
