I have dedicated nearly 20 years to creating large, geometric sculptures from carefully folded and stacked second-hand clothing. I sort the garments by hue, color, value, or intensity and arrange them to create patterns and gradients. These works often take the form of columns, walls and enclosures, typically weighing between eight hundred pounds and two tons.
My work examines the intersection between global consumerism and the intimate relationship we have with what we wear.
Below are a few related works. You can see more work at derickmelander.com.
Biography
Derick Melander is a 3rd generation artist, born in Saratoga Springs, NY. In 1985 Derick earned his Associate Degree in Communications from Elizabeth Seton College in Yonkers, NY where he studied radio and film production. Shortly after graduation he moved to Philadelphia where he worked as an assistant to an artist, sang in a band and postered the streets with hand-printed graphics and poems.
In 1987, he moved to NYC where he taught nursery school and signed a lease on his first art studio. Derick earned his B.F.A. in 1994 from The School of Visual Arts, NYC where he was the recipient of the Chairman’s Grant and had the opportunity to study with Roni Horn, Peter Halley, Alice Aycock and Donald Kuspit. In 2002 he began to exhibit regularly and co-founded the arts organization TAG Projects. As an organizer and curator, he produced 5 successful exhibitions.
Derick Melander creates large, geometric sculptures from carefully folded and stacked second-hand clothing. He sorts the garments by hue, color, value, or intensity and arranges them to create patterns and gradients. These works often take the form of columns, walls and enclosures, typically weighing between eight hundred pounds and two tons.
He recently completed commissions for The Chapman Perelman Foundation, Eileen Fisher, Diesel and exhibited with David Klein Gallery, Detroit. He has shown extensively on the east coast with solo exhibitions at The University of Maryland and Vox Populi Gallery, Philadelphia. He created special projects for Scope, Miami, The City of San Francisco, Columbia College, Chicago and The City of New York.
Derick has shown internationally at Starstreet Precinct, Hong Kong, the YIA Art Fair, Paris, France, de Warande in Turnhout, Belgium, Museum Rijswijk, The Hague, Netherlands and The Solyanka Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
Derick’s work can be found in the following corporate collections:
- American Eagle Outfitters, San Francisco
- California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
- The Chapman Perelman Foundation, NYC
- Diesel Clothing Company, Breganze, Italy
- Eileen Fisher, NYC
- Levi Strauss & Co., San Francisco, CA
- PAI Fashion, Washington DC
- San Francisco Department of the Environment
- Swire Properties, Hong Kong
- Toms, Playa Del Rey, CA
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