Dean Kelland is a UK-based interdisciplinary artist whose practice incorporates performance, photography, print, collage and filmmaking. His work interrogates the intersections of taste, class, and social history, offering nuanced observations on the construction of collective and mediated identities. With an exhibition record that spans national and international venues, Kelland has held notable residencies at The New Art Gallery Walsall and the Birmingham & Midland Institute. From 2019 to 2023, he completed a landmark four-year residency at HMP Grendon, supported by Ikon Gallery and the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust. During this tenure, he established the first contemporary art gallery within an operational UK prison—an initiative that included a dedicated workshop space and collaborative projects with wing communities in print and collage.
His recent collaborative work, Now & Then, continues his exploration of psychological archetypes, specifically investigating childhood memory through the practice of ventriloquism.
In 2026 Kelland will be Artist in Residence in the New Forest for Spudworks and the National Park Authority UK.
No Hiding Place
2013, Performance Film (Colour – Audio)
Now & Then 2025
Performance Film (Colour – Audio)
(17’50)
Made in collaboration with steeldoorstudios following the Artist Residency at HMP Grendon.
The Best A Man Can Get: Dean Kelland Performing As, And With, Painting of Elvis Presley by ‘B’ from C-Wing 2023
Performance Still on Vinyl
(460 x 350cm)
Made in collaboration with members of the wing communities during the Artist Residency at HMP Grendon in 2023 – Exhibited at IKON Gallery in 2023 as part of the solo exhibition iMPOSTER SYNDROME.
Image credit: Jo Underhill 2023
Man & Boy (Hunky Version) 2023
Cut out image on Vinyl
(560 x 250cm)
Made during the Artist Residency at HMP Grendon in 2023 – Exhibited at IKON Gallery in 2023 as part of the solo exhibition iMPOSTER SYNDROME.
Image credit: Jo Underhill 2023
Tin Soldiers (No.4) 2023
Mixed Media Collage (Excerpt from Series of 12)
(89.8 x 110cm)
Made in collaboration with members of the wing communities during the Artist Residency at HMP Grendon in 2023 – Exhibited at IKON Gallery in 2023 as part of the solo exhibition iMPOSTER SYNDROME.
Image credit: Tod Jones 2023
So The Days Float Through My Eyes 2023
Performance Film (Colour – Silent)
(2’54)
Made in collaboration with members of the wing communities during the Artist Residency at HMP Grendon in 2023 – Exhibited at IKON Gallery in 2023 as part of the solo exhibition iMPOSTER SYNDROME.
Cinematography: Jack Nelson 2023
Catch Back The Breeze 2022
Performance Film (Colour – Audio)
(6’00)
Made during the Artist Residency at HMP Grendon in 2022 – Exhibited at an exclusive screening event IKON Gallery in 2023 as part of the solo exhibition iMPOSTER SYNDROME.
Cinematography: Jack Nelson 2023
Absolute Beginners 2022
Video Installation (Colour – Silent)
(Variable Duration)
Made in collaboration with members of the wing communities during the Artist Residency at HMP Grendon in 2022 – Exhibited at IKON Gallery in 2023 as part of the solo exhibition iMPOSTER SYNDROME.
Image credit: Jo Underhill 2023
Cinematography: Jack Nelson 2023
Walk a Mile In My Shoes 2022
Performance Film (Colour – Silent)
(8’48)
Made during the Artist Residency at HMP Grendon in 2022 – Exhibited at IKON Gallery in 2023 as part of the solo exhibition iMPOSTER SYNDROME.
Cinematography: Jack Nelson 2023
Transmission 2022
Performance Film (Black & White – Audio)
(2’20)
Exhibited at Wolverhampton Art Gallery in 2023 as part of the group exhibition Valuable Conversations: Reflecting Upon 170 Years of the Wolverhampton School of Art.
Image credit: Tom Hicks 2022
The Guy With The Angriest Shadow 2018
Performance Film (Colour – Audio)
(3’44)
Made in the final days of the Artist Residency Programme at Birmingham Midland Institute in 2017 – This film has never been screened and was only recently rediscovered.
Falling Slowly Act II 2017
Performance Film (Black & White – Audio)
(14’55)
Made as part of the Artist Residency Programme at Birmingham Midland Institute in 2017 – Screened at the International Flatpack Film Festival 2017.
Cinematography: Jack Nelson 2017
Falling Slowly Act III 2017
Performance Film (Black & White – Silent)
(5’25)
Made as part of the Artist Residency Programme at Birmingham Midland Institute in 2017 – Screened at the International Flatpack Film Festival 2017. Exhibited at Floating Worlds for Ikon Gallery Off-site in Bahrain and for the Ruya Foundation in Baghdad.
Just Like That 2014
Performance Film (Colour – Audio)
(8’50)
Commissioned by Ikon Gallery and Birmingham Hippodrome Plus in 2014. Exhibited at the international artist film festival About Town for Ikon Gallery and Birmingham Hippodrome Plus.
Cinematography: Tim Baker 2014
Very Nearly An Arm Full 2014
Performance Film (Black & White – Audio)
(3’09)
Screened as part of a series of talks between 2014-2016 at various UK events including UAL Annual Research Conference - University of Arts London, Central Saint Martins and Artsfest University of Wolverhampton.
The Wobbly Tooth 2013
Performance Film (Black & White – Audio)
(2’49)
Made as part of the Artist Residency Programme at New Art Gallery Walsall in 2013 - an edition of the film accessioned to the New Art Gallery Walsall Permanent Collection in 2013.
No Hiding Place 2013
Performance Film (Colour – Audio)
(2’33)
Commissioned by, and exhibited at, Wolverhampton Art Gallery in 2013/14 – an edition of the film accessioned to the Wolverhampton Art Gallery Permanent Collection in 2014.
The Englishman’s Panacea 2013
Performance Film (Black & White – Silent)
(6’14)
Exhibited at Ikon Gallery in 2013 as the inaugural film installation for Ikon Off-site at Fletcher’s Walk, Birmingham and at Show One Central Saint Martins in 2016 - an edition of the film accessioned to the New Art Gallery Walsall Permanent Collection in 2013.
You Dirty Old Man 2010
Performance Film (Black & White – Audio)
(4’23)
Exhibited at Ikon Gallery in 2010 and screened as part of a series of talks between 2010-2013 at various UK conferences including Comedy and Conflict: The 5th Annual Comedy Conference - University of Salford and With Humorous Intent Conference – Mostyn Oriel Gallery.
contact
If you are interested in any of the films or wish to discuss working with Dean then please contact
Dean Kelland - Artist: kellandimages@hotmail.co.uk
Jane Morrow - Artist Development: jane@janemorrow.com
©copyright on all original artworks owned by the artist. Please contact for permissions.