Dominic Denis

Born 1963 in London.

Denis attended Chelsea School of Art 1981-83 and Goldsmith’s College 1983-86 in London. He attained a bachelor’s degree in fine art and went on to become one of the founding members of the YBA movement (Young British artists) that was a great influence to modern art not only on Britain but also globally with artists such as Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin taking centre stage.

Denis exhibited with Hirst and other YBAs in the seminal show ‘Freeze’ 1988 and then continued with ‘Modern Medicine’ 1991 and ‘Gambler’ 1992. These hugely successful exhibitions set the course for British art as a force to be reckoned with worldwide.

Denis was conflicted over the pressures and demands of the art world and gallery system and felt that he could not develop as an artist in the pure sense whilst also exhibiting regularly and supplying work to collectors who were greedily pursuing these young talented artists so he took a step back and decided not to show or exhibit any work for roughly 15 years. In this way he could continue to paint but would not have to have his painting scrutinised but what he felt was a very commercial and superficial art world.

Dominic returned to exhibiting in 2023 with Select gallery, London and was hugely successful in his first show in a number of years. His vision had solidified and had become much more mature and precise as well as having refined and developed his studio practice. His paintings are a comment on modern living, meditation, harmony, introspection and spirituality.

Denis’ work is displayed at Select Gallery London.