Derek Chan is an artist based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His work draws upon symbols, cultural mythology, spiritual beliefs, and the power of supernatural phenomena. While working primarily in painting and mixed-media collage, his projects have also included elements of performance, installation, and moving image. He uses these varied approaches to share forgotten and under-told stories.
Derek was born in Berkeley, California. He received a BA from the University of California, Los Angeles and a MFA from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Participating as a Monastic-monk, Derek worked in collaboration with Chicago artist and urban planner Theaster Gates, for Gates’ contribution to the 2010 Whitney Biennial. His work has been exhibited at Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, Carrie Secrist Gallery, Chicago, the Roswell Museum and Art Center, and the Center for Contemporary Arts in Santa Fe among others. In 2013, Derek participated in the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program. From fall 2017- spring 2019, Derek was an adjunct-instructor of painting and drawing at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
derekchan1@gmail.com