Biography:
Born in Dublin in 1952, Derek worked in a photofinishing laboratory in Tallaght for a couple of years after leaving school. He then moved to London and studied at the Polytechnic of Central London, obtaining BA CNAA and The Royal College of Art, London receiving MA RCA.
He began his professional career as a photographer in London in 1977, working with the Report co-operative of photographers with the founder of Report, Simon Guttmann.
In 1978 he returned to Dublin and established an agency along similar lines, also operating under the name of Report, specialising in the coverage of politics, current affairs, theatre & the arts, the activities of the labour movement & collaborative work with NGO's & marginalised groups. In 1995, 1998 & 2000 he worked in Africa, Central America & Cambodia documenting the work & participation in projects of APSO assignees.
His photographs are published regularly in the national and international press. His books include: Pavee Pictures (1990); Goodbye to All That (1992), dealing with the Ireland of Charles Haughey, with text by Gene Kerrigan. His work has been included in exhibitions on topical social issues, including:
Speirs at Large (1988) toured throughout Ireland & east Berlin; Pavee Pictures (1989) Irish Travellers, A collaboration with DTEDG/Pavee Point; Yesterday And Today (1993) Exhibition of contemporary photos alongside photos from the Father Browne collection. At Work (1994) a Irish Museum of Modern Art exhibition dealing with the changing nature of work, with a commentary by writer Gene Kerrigan. Drug-Free Zone at the Gallery of Photography (1997). The End of Carpets at Youghal, Triskel Arts Centre (2007), a collaboration with artist Marcella Reardon.
The image in the current exhibition is from the Drug-Free Zone group show at the Gallery of Photography in 1997.
