Beric Henderson
Painter (Riverwood, NSW)

Beric was born in Sydney in 1963. He has divided his professional career between medical research and art, and after receiving more formal art training at South Sydney TAFE in 1998-1999 has since exhibited regularly and developed his own unique style of painting and drawing. His most recent work and 2005 exhibition is based heavily on pulp fiction cover art of the 1940’s and 1950’s. The surrealistic images, some of which make use of digital techniques, are also inspired by science fiction movies and film noir from that period. Several of his paintings and drawings have been published.

Beric has written poetry, but is more visually oriented and would like to connect with other painters, writers and possibly documentary film makers to collaborate on artistic projects. He recently collaborated with American historian and author Robin Walz on a limited edition book of his art entitled “Pulp Surrealism and other Visions: The art of Beric Henderson”. This will be available from his website and specialty bookshops. In particular he is interested in the thin line between art and science, a topic that has dominated his own creative life and surrealistic tendencies. For instance, the creative process in molecular biology is rather rigid and defined by current knowledge and dogma. His experience of the artistic process is more spontaneous and as a release of internal subconscious ideas, of moods and personality.

The many diverse influences on Beric’s artwork include Alberto Giacometti, Alfred Hitchcock, Jackson Pollack, Franz Kafka, Raymond Chandler, Peter Booth, H. R. Giger, and Tim Burton. His complex abstract drawings are surrealistic in nature and incorporate multiple layers, images and ideas.

Beric is available for commissioned artwork and would enjoy the chance to contribute to group shows with like-minded artists.

Exhibitions
2002. Group exhibition Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, Southern Exposure II exhibition.
2003. 1st solo exhibition at Hazelhurst Community Gallery, entitled “Twilights and Nocturnes” 2004. Developed and launched web-site and on-line gallery of artworks located at www.berichenderson.com 2005. 2nd solo exhibition at St. George Regional Museum, Sydney 1st Oct to 12th Nov under the theme “Pulp Surrealism”. Preface by Prof. Robin Walz (author of Pulp Surrealism: Insolent popular culture in early 20th century Paris, Univ. California Press). Awards/Prizes 2005. Won the naming and graphic logo art competition at St. George Regional Museum in Sydney, for design and promotion of the new “Dragon’s Lair” Art Gallery.
Publications
2004. Artwork published in “Spectrum 11: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art” (Underwood Publishing, USA).
2005. Artwork published in “Spectrum 12: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art”.
2005. Work featured in the US art magazine DirectArt Vol. 12.

"I have been drawing all my life, and received just enough formal training in drawing and painting to experiment and develop my own style and direction. Over the last few years my style and interests have evolved, in particular with the increased use of abstract elements. I enjoy creating works that evoke a response, and strive to unmask that which exists in the fuzzy milieu between light and dark; the ambiguous, the forgotten, the indescribable or the unexpected.

Contact Beric Henderson
Visit Beric Henderson's website