Derek Culley, a self-taught abstract artist, became well regarded within the artistic circle of artists such as Denis Bowen and John Bellany, leading them to found and chair Celtic Vision.

Recipient of a Pollock Krasner Foundation Award (PKF) New York 2006-2007 $25K- referees John Hoyland / Stella Santacaterrina

Selected Solo shows include “Five Years of Culley” The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, (now IMMA) Dublin Ireland,1989, Wolfson College Oxford 1989, “Golgotha" Liverpool Anglican Cathedral-2011, Tamh Lacht" RUA/RED Gallery-Dublin 2011, Golgotha' Prayer Room IEC2012 International Eucharistic Congress RDS-2012 -. Editions Limited Liverpool Independent Biennial 2014. – The ATKINSON- The Landing Gallery – Southport 2016. Sedition Ltd 2016(Digital works)

He took part in many other ‘group shows’ including The London Group tour 1987; Celtic Vision Tour 1986/1987/1988. Modern Irish Painting, Dillon Gallery, 1995; and Skopje Museum of Contemporary Art, Republic of Macedonia, 1996. Art Cosmopolis RDS Dublin Ireland, FÍS 2008/9 CUC Liverpool. Kilkenny Arts Festival -Shankill Castle 2012 - Gallery Different –London 2012/13/14. Selected “What's the Point!” London 2014. Selected “MAC” Belfast 2014. Selected The Gallery Print Centre – Gallery Opening London 2015 - Selected Finalist Brisbane Art Prize 2015.

Art Colony Galicnick residency: Macedonia 1994

BIRD2005 International Art Award –China,

The Cill Rialaig Project Ireland - Residency 2008,

Culley’s work plays on visions of light in which he utilises each vigorous brushstroke to cement a clear and iconic signature style. Each brushstroke provides the illusion of depth, allowing the viewer to full immerse themselves within the work.

"Born and educated in Dublin, Derek Culley is mainly self taught and intuitive in approach. The language Culley uses is basically that of Abstract Expressionism in its various manifestations through Pollock and De Kooning, adding to the mix some references to Celtic and other sources. But if his language is a complex one, it is also one he has mastered and can on occasion use for his considerable expressive purposes. Since it is a manner which relies on a degree of impulse, his subjects can remain embedded in a welter of signs and marks. But when everything gels, the results have considerable imaginative impact and impressive power." 

Desmond MacAvock: "5 Years of Culley"" Exhibition Royal Hospital KiLmainham (IMMA) Dublin -The Irish Times 1989