Artist and naturalist Dave Derrick has agreed to donate several of his sculptures to the YoG, in addition to several sketches and paintings which will be sold at YoG events.

When preparing a sculpture David spends hours observing and sketching his subject matter. David adds his own unique style and perspective thanks to his extensive experience as an artist in the animation industry. He avoids using photographs as reference and insists on drawing and sculpting from life. Once completed David’s sculptures are cast and bronzed using the lost wax method.

Besides sculpting David has worked as an artist in the animation Industry, primarily at DreamWorks Feature Animation where he has contributed artistically to some of Hollywood”s biggest blockbusters. He is also a published author/illustrator. Prior to his career as an artist David studied fine art at the University of Utah and furthered his education at California Institute of the Arts (CALARTS). As a student his films were very successful garnering many awards including an Emmy Award.

“My Art is my own direct interpretation of the natural world. I do not seek to recreate what I see, instead I strive to push the gesture, attitude and pose to create a dynamic work of art all its own.”

Visit David's website, where you can find out more about the sculptures and how to purchase them.

Here you can read Dave's account of his visit to the Frankfurt Gorilla Symposium on June 10 2009.


Further information on the artwork

Sculptures
All sculptures are limited editions of 14, of which 3 each are donated to YoG.

Professor (see right) - Professor is a sculpture of one of David’s favorite gorillas, who was named Dan. David sculpted Professor from numerous sketches and from memory.

Meditation (see link below) - This piece was sculpted from sketches and is mounted on a black granite base.

Tino (see link below) - This piece was sculpted from life at a zoo in the U.S., it is mounted on a solid black granite base.

Motherhood (see above) - This piece was sculpted from David’s sketches and memory.


Original paintings and drawings
All of David’s drawings and sculptures are drawn from life or memory. David doesn’t use photographs choosing to interpet his subject matter directly from life. David doesn’t make prints or copies of his original paintings and drawings.

Rapunzel (see right) ---- size 12”x16 “
Glenda ----- size 11”x14”
Patriarch-------size 14”x17”
Ceasar----------size 12”x10”
Gloria----------11”x14”

Books

African Diaries- 10 copies which retail for $24.