Drawings From the Archive – December, 2018

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Study for a quilt of sorts where the arms project upward.

Sleeve Landscape 2

Sketch for a fantasy stilt screen-house.

Stilt House

Quick watercolor study for a “clothing stack” made from clay.

Clothing Wall (clay)

@derickmelander

Sculpture Installation and Tribute to the People o

Sculpture Installation and Tribute to the People of New York City I’m very happy to share a second location and additional funding from a City Artist Corps Grant! A new work will be made from wood and thousands of second-hand garments, sourced from the local community during the pandemic. The title of the sculpture, “The Witness,” refers to the collective act of living through COVID-19 and is a tribute to the people of New York City. The installation asks the viewer, what did you witness? The sculpture will be installed outdoors for three days in two high-traffic areas. The design of the piece is modular and flexible, allowing for multiple configurations. Throughout each day of the installation, I will rearrange the units and actively engage with passers-by about contemporary art. Please consider donating unwanted clothing for the creation of additional units for future installations. Clean garments of all types will be accepted at the event and pick-ups can be arranged as well. Where and When (artist will be present) LOCATION 1  Diversity Plaza, 73-19 37th Rd, Jackson Heights, Queens, NY 11372
Dates/Hours: The work will be installed October 29-31 / 9am-5pm This installation will also be part of a Dia de los Muertos event on November 1st from 3PM-7PM and will include performances by local artists, arts & crafts, and a community Ofrenda to honor and remember those family members, friends, and community members we have lost. All aspects of this event are free to the public. LOCATION 2 Travers Park, 76-9 34th Ave, Jackson Heights, Queens, NY 11372
Dates/Hours: The work will be installed November 12-14 / 9am-5pm SPONSORSHIP
City Artist Corps
Queens Council on the Arts
Wearable Collections Thanks to @qnsarts @nyfacurrent, @NYCulture, @madein_ny, and @queenstheatre for the support! @diversityplazanyc #CityArtistCorps #derickmelander #artstudio #artstudiolife #renovation #renovationproject #studioremodel #halloween #halloweenweekend #newproject #callicoonny #jacksonheights #queens #sculpture #jacksonheightsny #clothingsculpture #nysculpture #nycsculptor #sculptureart #abstractsculpture #fineart #art #contemporaryart #artist

Happy National Coming Out Day. It gets better! #na

Happy National Coming Out Day. It gets better! #nationalcomingoutday #lgbtq #lovewhoyoulove #loveislove

So nice to be the featured artist of the Epicenter

So nice to be the featured artist of the Epicenter NYC podcast! I was asked about my experience as an artist during the pandemic and the role artists play in the effort to recover, rebuild, and inspire New Yorkers. Please have a listen, link in bio. This work is called Separating Being From Becoming from 2018
 This sculpture, along with 2 others, was commissioned by Eileen Fisher. All the garments (approximately 800 lbs. in this piece) came from Renew, Eileen Fisher’s take-back and reuse program. They preserve the value of their clothes at every stage, in any condition. The garments are cleaned, repaired and re-sold, given to women in need and used to create new garments, textiles and art. This piece was installed in the Detroit store and will be on display for a year or so. After that, the garments will go back into the Renew program to be turned into something else. With casters and an eye hook attached to the base, this piece can be rolled from one part of the store to another. This strategy harkens back to a piece I created for The University of Maryland in 2010 called Social Mobility. Approximate Size: 7′ x 28′ x 28′ (H x W x D)
Materials: Second-hand clothing, wood, steel & casters
Note: The title was inspired by Aldous Huxley’s book, The Doors of Perception. #derickmelander @epicenter_nyc #throwback #throwbackthursday #jacksonheights #queens #sculpture #jacksonheightsny #clothingsculpture #nysculpture #nycsculptor #sculptureart #abstractsculpture #usedclothing #fineart #art #contemporaryart #artist #artwork #handmade #arte #escultura #sculptor #modernart #contemporarysculpture #kunst #mockingbird

I’m excited to kick off a new project sponsored

I’m excited to kick off a new project sponsored by the Queens Council on the Arts! This fall, I’ll install a modular, portable sculpture that will be on view for three days, in three public plazas throughout Queens. This will be my first time working outdoors in NYC. I’ve designed an innovative armature for the work that will make installation fast and easy. The sculpture is comprised of eight individual units, made from second-hand clothing and wood, allowing for multiple configurations. Several times a day, I’ll work with an assistant to change the arrangement, adding a performative element to the project. I hope to engage with people from all walks of life and in particular, reach those who are underexposed to contemporary art. Perhaps commuters and passersby will see the work and become curious. Those who offer advice and feedback will feel like they have influenced the work (and perhaps they will). I hope this approach will instill a sense of connection to the project and by extension, a sense of connection to Queens. You can learn about a related project here www.covidnineteenmemorial.org or visit my website to see more work (link in bio). This program is made possible in part by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.⁣ #jacksonheights #queens #jacksonheightsqueens @epicenter_nyc #epicenternyc #queensart #nycart @diversityplazanyc #covidnineteenmemorial #derickmelander #sculpture #clothingsculpture #nysculpture #nycsculptor #sculptureart #abstractsculpture #usedclothing #fineart #art #contemporaryart #artist #artwork #handmade #arte #escultura #sculptor #modernart #contemporarysculpture #kunst