Roger Dean – Selected Biography
Born Warrington, Lancashire
Education 1953-58
Liverpool College of Art
Brera Academy, Milan

Awards, Prizes & Scholarships
1955    Blonde Scholarship Liverpool
1957    Finalist, Prix de Rome competition
1959    British Council Scholarship
 Gulbenkian Foundation Travelling Scholarship
1964    John Moore’s Liverpool
1965    Gulbenkian Fellow in Fine Art, Keele University

Exhibitions 1960-91
Lane Gallery, Bradford
Compendium Gallery, Birmingham
Bowes Museum County Durham
Bluecoat Gallery, Liverpool
Keele University, Staffordshire
Exeter University
Exe Gallery, Exeter
Rathaus Gallery, Germany
Commonwealth Institute, London
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
John Moore’s, Liverpool
Peri-Renneth Gallery, LongIsland, USA


Public Collections
Gulbenkian Collection of Contemporary Art, London
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport
Watherstone Inc, New York, USA
Associate Printing, New Jersey, USA

Public Commissions 1987 -2010
Exeter City Council
North Devon District Council & South West Arts
Exeter Quay and Canal Trust
Exeter Fountain Steering Group
Plymouth University
Lego UK, Windsor
Lifestyle Ltd, Birmingham
West Devon Borough Council
Devon Agricultural Association
Force Cancer Research, RDE Hospital
Percent for Art, Midas Homes, Kingskerswell
Town Centre Axminster
Mortonhampstead town redevelopment scheme
Axminster Community Arts
South Devon Healthcare Trust, Newton Abbot Hospital
Roy Lancaster, the Admirals House, Ilfracombe
Land Securities, Princesshay development
Royal Marine 42 Commando’s, Bickleigh Barracks

Margaret Dean: August evening, drawing, 2011

Artist's statement: The starting point of the two small bronzes plus the large marble/resin column is based around the fusion of organic and manufactured (man made) structures and the relative effect that these two separate identities  have on each other. 

In addition certain metamorphic devices come into play where the transition from two to three dimensions operates to introduce elements of uncertainty and ambiguity with each individual sculpture.

A Review of Art Work by Margaret and Roger Dean at present on show at The Art Room, Topsham
 
By very good luck, a visit to The Art Room in the historic village of Topsham near Exeter having been suggested by a friend, I was able to see there an exhibition of art by two Devon artists - paintings by Margaret Dean and sculptures predominently cast in bronze by Margaret’s husband, Roger Dean. 

My visit was on Saturday 4th February, a day after the exhibition inauguration, which I was informed had been enthusiastically attended. The Art Room, situated near the harbour in Topsham, is an elegant, bright and welcoming gallery that specialises in the work of artists from the South West. It is a place in which visitors feel immediately comfortable whether they go in for just a quick look or for a serious viewing of the exhibits.    
 
The paintings there by Margaret are mostly in oil, on board and canvas,  mainly of  fine expressive  studies of the human figure, sitting, standing, or reclining nudes, which recalled to me some of the art works of Vidan and Christine Comyn.  Margaret’s paintings are what I consider as real, skilful art, that, hung on the walls of one’s hallway, sitting room or elsewhere, will much enhance the beauty and interest of the house both for the householder and for guests.

Roger’s bronze sculptures are variable in size and include in the design partially open and closed shapes, that can be seen as representing archways, columns, foliage and reclining figures, for thought and for discussion.Those and Roger’s other free standing sculptures would grace any room. 
 
I certainly much recommend a visit to this exhibition, which continues until the 4th of March. 
 
Dr Derek W Palmer