Derrick’s work developed around a number of themes with reference being made to Nicholson’s linear abstraction but incorporating the Neo - Romantics sense of man in nature. Interestingly, Derrick preferred to put woman in nature
Derrick Sayer studied at Chelsea School of Art under Henry Moore and Graham Sutherland. This was followed by a period at Ben Nicholson’s studio in Paris and associations with the likes of Dod Proctor and Winifred Nicholson. With the same co-operative idealism as Nicholson and the St. Ives Group, he founded the Mousehole Group with George Lamborn and Guy Allen. Sadly, this venture was short lived, but such early experiences provided a perfect start as he put his talent to excellent use for major advertising campaigns and book illustrations. Included in these were his iconic illustrations for Beverly Nichols and artwork for many posters along the 1952 Coronation route.
During the time he was producing commercial work, he showed with The Redfern, Leicester and Storran Galleries. Derrick was also a natural teacher and by 1966 teaching became his full-time career until he retired as Head of Art for Chelsea and Westminster Adult Education Institute.
Ten of his paintings, chosen by The Healing Arts (Chelsea Westminster Hospital Arts Project) hang in their permanent collection alongside such luminaries as Patrick Heron, Mary Fedden, Allen Jones, Howard Hodgkin, Jeffrey Courtney and Sian Tucker.
Derrick’s work developed around a number of themes with reference being made to Nicholson’s linear abstraction but incorporating the Neo - Romantics sense of man in nature. Interestingly, Derrick preferred to put woman in nature and some of his most sensitive images are in a well-developed theme in small ink and wash works where the timeless forms of creation, suspended in rock formations, are incorporated with the gentle curves of scarcely visible nudes.
The belief that life class was central even to abstract art separated him from the sixties artists and remained constant in his work. His nude drawings have a languorous, soft, tactile aura and occasionally risk idealising women, but have great charm and sensitivity. He also on occasion used the female form to experiment with colour and texture. His abstract works and still life studies are radically different to his life work and are bold expressive and richly textural.
Hicks Gallery was first approached in 1990 by Deidre Sayer with the view to putting on a solo show for Derrick in 1991. He had continued to paint whilst teaching but had not exhibited for a number of years. There was a rich and varied body of work none of which had ever been shown publicly. The show was hugely successful and seen as a precursor to a second coming of an artist who had been somewhat overlooked in his later years. Sadly, Derrick passed away in 1992 and his vision of regular exhibitions went with him. We purchased a large portion of Derrick’s studio upon his death and this collection represents some of the last works held by Hicks.