Join us as we welcome local artist and Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Norfolk State University, Derek Eley for the opening of his solo exhibition at our Offsite Gallery on the 2nd level of MacArthur Center. Free and open to the public.

After returning to school to study graphic design, Derek Eley understood that the way that typography is used is very similar to that of photography. Words are often viewed as sources of objectivity when in fact they are often used as harbingers of deceit. Eley refers to his current work as contemporary memes.

By combining photography and typography, Eley conveys obvious and subversive messages. Using a combination of popular slang and references from pop culture, he makes statements about today’s society.

Eley enjoys investigating how subjects become popular in our society and the role that photography and design play. This investigation also includes how different generations react to media. Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z have glaring differences that drive each group. Eley’s work references each generation, all while using imagery and text to drive conversations about topics spanning from crucial to light-hearted.

Derek Eley is a seasoned visual arts educator with over 15 years of experience teaching graphic design, photography, and computer application courses at the university level.