Dick Verdult's (1954, Eindhoven, The Netherlands) work encompasses film, performance, graphics, drawing, sculptures and ceramics, radioshows, text and music.
His multifaceted work is built on relinquishing control, allowing imperfections, and making an unprepared start. Verdult connects concepts from various disciplines and cultures, instantly changing the meanings and functions of objects and even actions. For all their diversity and elusiveness, his activities are always recognisable owing to a combination of no-tech and high-tech elements. The moment he presents them on an art stage, they turn out to be carefully considered and composed.
Verdult has been a pioneer in the fields of interactive fiction, television, performance, radio, and the internet. He founded several art groups, including the IBW (Instituut voor Betaalbare Waanzin / Institute for Affordable Lunacy) and Festicumex - a festival for a non-existent music genre. As a visual artist and musician under the name Dick El Demasiado (Dick the Excessive) in the experimental Cumbia Lunaticas and Experimentales music he has acquired a cult status, well known by the name of Dick El Demasiado, especially in South America, Russia and Japan. Currently, Verdult’s focus is on deforming popular culture and on manipulation itself.
His lastest shows were held at Annet Gelink Gallery (2019), Manifesta Office, Amsterdam (2016), Asilo Bar, Bogota (2015), Kunstfort Asperen, Acquoy (2015), Amsterdam Drawing Fair with Annet Gelink Gallery, Amsterdam (2013), Museo Castagnino, Rosario (2013), the Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven (2011-2012), Museo El Chopo, Mexico (2013), Arti & Amicitae and a soloshow at Annet Gelink Gallery (both Amsterdam 2013) and 1646, The Hague 2014. He represented the Netherlands in Gwangju Biennale 2012. Dick Verdult has studied from 1973-1977 at Université Paris VIII Vincennes, departments Film and Plastic Arts in Paris.