Derk Wolmuth received a MFA from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA in 2011 and a BFA from Emily Carr University in Vancouver, BC in 2005. His sculpture work is further informed through skills in woodworking and by degrees in Philosophy BA 1996 and Cultural Studies MA 2021 from Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario.
He grew up in Victoria BC in the marine environment finding a place in sailing culture later radicalized by 1980’s punk critique and DIY sensibilities. After periods of deep psychological reflection with a grounding practice and livelihood through woodworking he built many spaces in which to physically inhabit. As a student and then studio assistant to Liz Magor he was introduced to Post-minimalism, Arte-Povera, and Conceptual strategies and the Vancouver art scene. During his studies at Carnegie Mellon University he was influenced by Kinetic, Institutional Critique, Relational Aesthetics, and the American Land Artists. Between 2012-2020 he sailed solo across the Pacific ocean in a 32’ sailboat.
His mixed media sculptures and installations include repurposed found objects, with wood, metal, electrical-mechanical components, video, photo, lighting, audio and text. He invites viewers in with theatrical gestures then subjects them to a visceral but contrived threat. The objects are crafted with a focused austerity often express fears, compulsions, and desires of the currant moment. Glimpses of the uncanny and employing movement to mesmerized his work leaves us suspended within uncertainty. His practice engages us both viscerally and intellectually implicating us in and amongst the agency of things.
He grew up in Victoria BC in the marine environment finding a place in sailing culture later radicalized by 1980’s punk critique and DIY sensibilities. After periods of deep psychological reflection with a grounding practice and livelihood through woodworking he built many spaces in which to physically inhabit. As a student and then studio assistant to Liz Magor he was introduced to Post-minimalism, Arte-Povera, and Conceptual strategies and the Vancouver art scene. During his studies at Carnegie Mellon University he was influenced by Kinetic, Institutional Critique, Relational Aesthetics, and the American Land Artists. Between 2012-2020 he sailed solo across the Pacific ocean in a 32’ sailboat.
His mixed media sculptures and installations include repurposed found objects, with wood, metal, electrical-mechanical components, video, photo, lighting, audio and text. He invites viewers in with theatrical gestures then subjects them to a visceral but contrived threat. The objects are crafted with a focused austerity often express fears, compulsions, and desires of the currant moment. Glimpses of the uncanny and employing movement to mesmerized his work leaves us suspended within uncertainty. His practice engages us both viscerally and intellectually implicating us in and amongst the agency of things.
EXHIBITIONS
2025 Shapes & Sounds Series, Philip T Young Recital Hall, University of Victoria, BC
2024 Fibrillation, The Vault, Victoria, BC
2024 Thresholds, Rockslide, Victoria. BC
2024 Wall of Worry, Sunday Afternoon - Daniel Laskarin, Victoria, BC
2023 GROT (solo), The Fifty Fifty, Victoria, BC
2023 Banniere, Sunday Afternoon - Daniel Laskarin, Victoria, BC
2022 Form & Ephemera, Rockslide Studio, Victoria, BC
2015 Outside/Inside, Gallery 1580, Victoria, BC
2011 SCALE, Trahern Gallery – Austin Peay University, Clarksville, TN
2010 SCALE, SPACE Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2010 Escape Pittsburgh, Miller Gallery – Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
2009 Magnetic Capsules, Ellis Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2009 Potato/Tomato, Future Tenant, Pittsburgh, PA
2008 Meet the Made, The Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, PA
2007 Peepholes and Periscopes, Future Tenant, Pittsburgh, PA
2007 The Uncanny Valley, Brew House Space 101 Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2006 New Forms Festival, VIVO Media Arts Centre, Vancouver, BC
2005 Graduation Exhibit, Emily Carr University, Vancouver, BC
2003 Awkward, Emily Carr University, Vancouver, BC
EDUCATION
M.F.A. 2011 Visual Art - Sculpture, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
B.F.A. 2005 Visual Arts - General, Emily Carr University, Vancouver, BC
M.A. 2021 Cultural Studies Trent University, Peterborough, ON
B.A. 1996 Philosophy w/ Honours, Trent University, Peterborough, ON
Diploma 1998 Wooden Boatbuilding NW School of Wooden Boatbuilding, PortTownsend, WA
Certificate 2018 Business Admin University of Victoria, Continuing Studies, Victoria, BC
Certificate 1997 Fine Woodworking Selkirk College, Nelson, BC
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2020 Teaching Integrated Arts, Trent University
2019 Teaching Contemporary Media Studies, Trent University
2010 Teaching Mixed Media Sculpture, Carnegie Mellon University
2010 Teaching Advanced Metals, Carnegie Mellon University
2010 Teaching Mixed Media Sculpture (Pre-College), Carnegie Mellon University
2009 Graduate Teaching Assistant Kinetic Sculpture (Joe Mannino), Carnegie Mellon University
2009 Graduate Teaching Assistant Visual Culture (Melissa Ragona), Carnegie Mellon University
2008 Graduate Teaching Assistant Small Metals (Carol Kumata), Carnegie Mellon University
2008 Graduate Teaching Assistant Drawing (Andrew Johnson), Carnegie Mellon University
2007 Graduate Teaching Assistant Mixed Media Sculpture (Bob Bingham), Carnegie Mellon University
2025 Shapes & Sounds Series, Philip T Young Recital Hall, University of Victoria, BC
2024 Fibrillation, The Vault, Victoria, BC
2024 Thresholds, Rockslide, Victoria. BC
2024 Wall of Worry, Sunday Afternoon - Daniel Laskarin, Victoria, BC
2023 GROT (solo), The Fifty Fifty, Victoria, BC
2023 Banniere, Sunday Afternoon - Daniel Laskarin, Victoria, BC
2022 Form & Ephemera, Rockslide Studio, Victoria, BC
2015 Outside/Inside, Gallery 1580, Victoria, BC
2011 SCALE, Trahern Gallery – Austin Peay University, Clarksville, TN
2010 SCALE, SPACE Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2010 Escape Pittsburgh, Miller Gallery – Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
2009 Magnetic Capsules, Ellis Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2009 Potato/Tomato, Future Tenant, Pittsburgh, PA
2008 Meet the Made, The Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, PA
2007 Peepholes and Periscopes, Future Tenant, Pittsburgh, PA
2007 The Uncanny Valley, Brew House Space 101 Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2006 New Forms Festival, VIVO Media Arts Centre, Vancouver, BC
2005 Graduation Exhibit, Emily Carr University, Vancouver, BC
2003 Awkward, Emily Carr University, Vancouver, BC
EDUCATION
M.F.A. 2011 Visual Art - Sculpture, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
B.F.A. 2005 Visual Arts - General, Emily Carr University, Vancouver, BC
M.A. 2021 Cultural Studies Trent University, Peterborough, ON
B.A. 1996 Philosophy w/ Honours, Trent University, Peterborough, ON
Diploma 1998 Wooden Boatbuilding NW School of Wooden Boatbuilding, PortTownsend, WA
Certificate 2018 Business Admin University of Victoria, Continuing Studies, Victoria, BC
Certificate 1997 Fine Woodworking Selkirk College, Nelson, BC
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2020 Teaching Integrated Arts, Trent University
2019 Teaching Contemporary Media Studies, Trent University
2010 Teaching Mixed Media Sculpture, Carnegie Mellon University
2010 Teaching Advanced Metals, Carnegie Mellon University
2010 Teaching Mixed Media Sculpture (Pre-College), Carnegie Mellon University
2009 Graduate Teaching Assistant Kinetic Sculpture (Joe Mannino), Carnegie Mellon University
2009 Graduate Teaching Assistant Visual Culture (Melissa Ragona), Carnegie Mellon University
2008 Graduate Teaching Assistant Small Metals (Carol Kumata), Carnegie Mellon University
2008 Graduate Teaching Assistant Drawing (Andrew Johnson), Carnegie Mellon University
2007 Graduate Teaching Assistant Mixed Media Sculpture (Bob Bingham), Carnegie Mellon University