Roger Dean (artist)
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- | '''Roger Dean''' (born [[August 31]], [[1944]], in [[Ashford, Kent]]) is a contemporary [[England|English]] [[artist]] best known for his work on [[album cover]]s, which he began painting in the late 1960s. | + | '''Roger Dean''' (born 31 August 1944) is an English artist, designer, architect, and publisher. He is best known for his work on posters and [[album cover]]s for musicians, which he began painting in the late 1960s. The covers often feature [[exotic]], [[fantasy landscape]]s. His work has sold more than sixty million copies worldwide. |
+ | |||
+ | == Life and work == | ||
+ | Dean was born in [[Ashford, Kent]], but he spent most of his childhood moving around the world with his [[British Army]] father. The family returned to England in 1959 where he was educated at [[Ashford Grammar School]]. He later earned a National Diploma of Design from the [[Kent Institute of Art & Design|Canterbury College of Art]]. In 1968, he graduated from the [[Royal College of Art]] in London where he was a student of [[David Pye (furniture)|Professor David Pye]]. His Masters thesis was on 'The psychology of the built environment'. He has lived in [[East Sussex]] since 1972. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Invention vs design=== | ||
+ | Beginning in the field of design, he preferred to distinguish between ''design'' (the reworking of existing models), and ''invention'' (making something new). One of his inventions was the "sea urchin chair." It was a foam chair, which, though appearing spherical, would conform to the sitter, who could obtain a seated position of varying angles. Later, he was asked to design a "landscape" of similar seating for a club belonging to [[Ronnie Scott]]. His "retreat pod" chair design was featured in the film ''[[A Clockwork Orange (film)|A Clockwork Orange]]''. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Album covers=== | ||
+ | His first album cover work was in 1968 for [[The Gun (band)|The Gun]]. He also did the artwork for [[Atomic Rooster]]'s album ''[[In Hearing of Atomic Rooster|In Hearing of...]]'' This album cover hinted at the inimitable style for which he would later become famous. In the same year Dean produced the cover for the first album by the African/Caribbean band [[Osibisa]], which featured a hybrid insect/elephant. This was much closer to Dean's work as we came to know it and it attracted widespread attention. Later that year, he began the partnership with the [[progressive rock]] bands [[Yes (band)|Yes]] (and [[Asia (band)|Asia]]) for which he is best known. His first design for the band was for their album ''[[Fragile (Yes album)|Fragile]]''. Dean designed the now-classic Yes "bubble" logo, which first appeared on the album ''[[Close to the Edge (Yes album)|Close to the Edge]]'', and continued to create covers for the band until as recently as 2011 (''[[Fly From Here]]''). Yes guitarist [[Steve Howe (guitarist)|Steve Howe]] said, "There is a pretty tight bond between our sound and Roger's art." In addition to their album covers, Dean also contributed to his brother [[Martyn Dean]]'s stage set designs for the band. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Known primarily for the dreamy, other-worldly scenes he has created for Yes, [[Budgie (band)|Budgie]], [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]], [[Gentle Giant]] and other bands, Dean has said, "I don't really think of myself as a fantasy artist but as a landscape painter." Characteristic landscapes show graceful stone arches (as shown in ''Arches Mist'', below) or floating islands, while many paintings show organic appearing habitats (such as shown in the cover for ''Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe''). Though he primarily works with [[Watercolor painting|watercolour]] paints, many of his paintings make use of multiple media, including [[gouache]], ink, [[Vitreous enamel|enamel]], [[crayon]] and collage. In addition to his cover paintings, Dean is respected for his calligraphic work, designing logos and titles to go with his paintings. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Video game art=== | ||
+ | Beginning in 1985 with the software company [[Psygnosis]], Dean has been responsible for the cover artwork for several video games, including ''[[Shadow of the Beast]]'', ''[[Tetris Worlds]]'' as well as a redesign of the [[Tetris]] logo. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Publishing=== | ||
+ | Three compilations of his work have been published, including ''Views'' (1975) (the success of which led him to form publishing house [[Paper Tiger Books]]), ''Magnetic Storm'' (1984), and ''Dragon's Dream'' (2008). In addition, his [[Architecture|architectural]] and furniture work have been exhibited in the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]] and in the [[Royal Academy]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Legal case against James Cameron=== | ||
+ | In June 2013, Dean filed a legal action at a court in New York against Canadian film director [[James Cameron]]. Dean accused Cameron of "wilful and deliberate copying, dissemination and exploitation" of his original images, relating to Cameron's 2009 film ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]''. Dean sought damages of $50m. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Album and videogame covers== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Album covers=== | ||
+ | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | !|Year !! Artist !! Album | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1968 || {{sortname|The|Gun|The Gun (band)}} || ''Gun'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1969 || [[Earth and Fire]] || ''Earth and Fire'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1970 || [[Nucleus (band)|Nucleus]] || ''[[Elastic Rock]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1970 || [[Lighthouse (band)|Lighthouse]] || ''One Fine Morning'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1970 || [[Dr. Strangely Strange]] || ''Heavy Petting'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1970 || Clear Blue Sky || ''Clear Blue Sky'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1971 || Midnight Sun || ''Midnight Sun'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1971 || [[Osibisa]] || ''[[Osibisa (album)|Osibisa]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1971 || {{sortname|Keith|Tippett Group|Keith Tippett}} || ''Dedicated to You but You Weren't Listening'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1971 || [[Ramases]] || ''Space Hymns'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1971 || [[Mike Absalom]] || ''Mike Absalom'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1971 || {{sortname|Billy|Cox}} || ''[[Nitro Function]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1971 || [[Osibisa]] || ''[[Woyaya]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1971 || {{sortname|Pete|Dello and Friends|Pete Dello}} || ''Into Your Ears'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1971 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Fragile (Yes album)|Fragile]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1971 || [[Atomic Rooster]] || ''[[In Hearing of Atomic Rooster]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || [[John Dummer Band]] || ''Blue'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || Gracious! || ''This Is...Gracious!!'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Close to the Edge (Yes album)|Close to the Edge]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] || ''[[Demons and Wizards (Uriah Heep album)|Demons and Wizards]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || [[Gentle Giant]] || ''[[Octopus (Gentle Giant album)|Octopus]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || [[Babe Ruth (band)|Babe Ruth]]|| ''[[First Base (album)|First Base]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || [[Budgie (band)|Budgie]] || ''[[Squawk (album)|Squawk]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || Midnight Sun || ''Walking Circles'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || [[Third Ear Band]] || ''[[Music from Macbeth]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] || ''[[The Magician's Birthday]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || Paladin || ''Charge!'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1972 || Various || [[Motown Chartbusters#Motown Chartbusters Volume 6|''Motown Chartbusters Vol. Six'']] | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1973 || [[Greenslade]] || ''[[Greenslade (album)|Greenslade]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1973 || [[Magna Carta (band)|Magna Carta]] || ''[[Lord of the Ages]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1973 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Yessongs]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1973 || [[Budgie (band)|Budgie]] || ''[[Never Turn Your Back on a Friend]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1973 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Tales from Topographic Oceans]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1973 || [[McKendree Spring]] || ''Spring Suite'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1973 || [[Del Richardson]] || ''Pieces of a Jigsaw'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1973 || [[Badger (band)|Badger]] || ''One Live Badger'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1973 || [[Greenslade]] || ''[[Bedside Manners Are Extra]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1973 || [[Snafu (band)|Snafu]] || [[SNAFU (album)|SNAFU]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1974 || [[Gravy Train (band)|Gravy Train]] || ''Staircase to the Day'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1974 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Relayer]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1974 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Yesterdays (Yes album)|Yesterdays]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1975 || {{sortname|Steve|Howe|Steve Howe (guitarist)}} || ''[[Beginnings (Steve Howe album)|Beginnings]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1976 || {{sortname|Dave|Greenslade}} || ''[[Cactus Choir]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1977 || {{sortname|John|Lodge|John Lodge (musician)}} || ''Natural Avenue'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1979 || {{sortname|Steve|Howe|Steve Howe (guitarist)}} || ''[[The Steve Howe Album]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1980 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Drama (Yes album)|Drama]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1980 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Yesshows]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1981 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Classic Yes]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1982 || [[Asia (band)|Asia]] || ''[[Asia (album)|Asia]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1983 || [[Asia (band)|Asia]] || ''[[Alpha (Asia album)|Alpha]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1983 || {{sortname|Barry|Devlin}} || ''Breaking Starcodes'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1984 || [[Nightwing (band)|Nightwing]] || ''My Kingdom Come'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1985 || [[Asia (band)|Asia]] || ''[[Astra (album)|Astra]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1989 || [[It Bites]] || ''Eat Me in St. Louis'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1989 || [[Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe]] || ''[[Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (album)|Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1990 || [[Asia (band)|Asia]] || ''[[Then & Now (Asia album)|Then & Now]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1991 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Union (Yes album)|Union]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1991 || {{sortname|Steve|Howe|Steve Howe (guitarist)}} || ''[[Turbulence (Steve Howe album)|Turbulence]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1991 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Yesyears]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1992 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Yesstory]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1993 || [[Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe]] || ''[[An Evening of Yes Music Plus]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1993 || || ''[[Symphonic Music of Yes]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1993 || {{sortname|Rick|Wakeman}} || ''Rick Wakeman's Greatest Hits'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1994 || {{sortname|Steve|Howe|Steve Howe (guitarist)}} || ''[[Not Necessarily Acoustic]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1994 || [[Asia (band)|Asia]] || ''[[Aria (Asia album)|Aria]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1995 || [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] || ''[[Sea of Light (album)|Sea of Light]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1995 || Various artists || ''Tales from Yesterday'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1996 || Various artists || ''[[Supernatural Fairy Tales: The Progressive Rock Era]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1996 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Keys to Ascension]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1996 || [[Budgie (band)|Budgie]] || ''[[An Ecstasy of Fumbling - The Definitive Anthology]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1997 || {{sortname|The|London Philharmonic Orchestra}} || ''[[Us and Them: Symphonic Pink Floyd]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1997 || [[Space Needle (band)|Space Needle]] || ''[[The Moray Eels Eat The Space Needle]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1997 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Keys to Ascension 2]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1997 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Open Your Eyes (Yes album)|Open Your Eyes]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1997 || {{sortname|The|London Symphony Orchestra}} || ''Symphonic Rock: American Classics'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1997 || {{sortname|The|London Symphony Orchestra}} || ''Symphonic Rock: The British Invasion, Vol. 1'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1998 || {{sortname|The|London Symphony Orchestra}} || ''Symphonic Rock: The British Invasion, Vol. 2'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1998 || Ad Infinitum || ''Ad Infinitum'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1998 || Various artists || ''[[Yes, Friends and Relatives]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1998 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''Keys to Ascension Volumes 1 and 2'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1999 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[The Ladder]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 1999 || {{sortname|Rick|Wakeman}} || ''[[Return to the Centre of the Earth]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2000 || Various artists || ''Yes, Friends and Relatives Volume 2'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2000 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[House of Yes: Live from House of Blues]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2001 || [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] || ''[[Acoustically Driven]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2001 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Keystudio]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2001 || [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] || ''Remasters: The Official Anthology'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2001 || [[Atomic Rooster]] || ''Resurrection'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2001 || [[Asia (band)|Asia]] || ''[[Aura (Asia album)|Aura]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2002 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[In a Word: Yes (1969–)]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2002 || Vermilion || ''Flattening Mountains and Creating Empires'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2003 || [[Birdsongs of the Mesozoic]] || ''The Iridium Controversy'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2003 || {{sortname|Steve|Howe|Steve Howe (guitarist)}} || ''[[Elements (Steve Howe album)|Elements]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2004 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[The Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2005 || [[Glass Hammer]] || ''The Inconsolable Secret'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2005 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[The Word Is Live]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2006 || {{sortname|Alan|White|Alan White (Yes drummer)}} || ''White'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |−2006 || [[Electric Sheep]] || ''Sweep'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2008 || [[Asia (band)|Asia]] || ''[[Phoenix (Asia album)|Phoenix]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2010 || [[Asia (band)|Asia]] || ''[[Omega (Asia album)|Omega]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2010 || Various artist || ''Wondrous Stories – A Complete Introduction To Progressive Rock'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2010 || Various artist || ''Wondrous Stories – 34 Artist That Shaped The Prog Rock Era'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2011 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[Fly from Here]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2011 || [[Ben Craven]] || ''Great & Terrible Potions'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2011 || [[Yes (band)|Yes]] || ''[[In the Present - Live from Lyon]]'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2012 || [[Asia (band)|Asia]] || [[XXX (Asia album)|''XXX'']] | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | 2012 || [[Focus (band)|Focus]] || ''[[Focus X]]'' | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Video game covers === | ||
+ | * 1986 ''[[Brataccas]]'', [[Mindscape Group|Mindscape Inc.]]/Psygnosis | ||
+ | * 1987 ''[[Barbarian (Psygnosis)|Barbarian]]'', Psygnosis | ||
+ | * 1987 ''[[Terrorpods]], Psygnosis | ||
+ | * 1988 ''[[Chrono Quest]]'', Psygnosis | ||
+ | * 1988 ''[[Obliterator]]'', Psygnosis | ||
+ | * 1989 ''[[Shadow of the Beast]]'', [[Psygnosis]]/[[Reflections Interactive|Reflections]] | ||
+ | * 1989 ''[[Stryx (computer game)|Stryx]]'', Psyclapse | ||
+ | * 1990 ''[[Infestation (computer game)|Infestation]]'', Psygnosis | ||
+ | * 1990 ''Shadow of the Beast II'', Psygnosis/Reflections | ||
+ | * 1991 ''[[Amnios]]'', Psygnosis | ||
+ | <!--* 1991 ''[[Ork (computer game)|Ork]]'', Psygnosis - the box of the game itself says it's by Richard Clifton-Dey --> | ||
+ | * 1992 ''[[Agony (video game)|Agony]]'', Psygnosis | ||
+ | * 1992 ''[[Faceball 2000]],'' Bullet-Proof Software | ||
+ | * 2001 ''[[Tetris Worlds]],'' THQ | ||
+ | * 2007 ''[[Tetris Splash]],'' [[Tetris Online, Inc.]] (title screens) | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Publications== | ||
+ | * ''[[The Flights of Icarus]]'' (ISBN 0-905895-16-9 editor, contributor). Large format colour book with paintings by Dean, Martyn Dean and others. Edited by Donald Lehmkuhl, Martyn Dean and Roger Dean. | ||
+ | * ''[[Views (book)|Views]]'' (1975) (ISBN 978-0061717093) is a large-format colour book with full page and double page images of Roger Dean's works, both architectural and artistic. The text was written by Dominy Hamilton and Carla Capalbo in association with Roger Dean. The architectural section was written by Donald Lehmkuhl. | ||
+ | * ''[[Magnetic Storm (book)|Magnetic Storm]]'' (1984) (ISBN 978-0061717109) First published in 1984, Magnetic Storm followed in the footsteps of the million-selling Views. Employing a large format to showcase the art and design of Roger Dean, the book is a retrospective of work accomplished since the publication of its predecessor. Embracing designs for record sleeves, rock stages, movie projects, architecture, games consoles, landscapes, and books, Magnetic Storm features everything from innovative aircraft livery to the Yes logo. The new edition streamlines the original format and retains the combination of concept sketches and the finished works. It features revised design and typography, a new foreword, and a newly finished painting that Roger supplied especially for the front cover of the edition. | ||
+ | * ''[[Dragon's Dream (book)|Dragon's Dream]]'' (2008) (ISBN 978-0061626975) Dragon's Dream makes up the Roger Dean trilogy. A more ambitious work than its predecessors, it celebrates Roger's work from the last twenty years. This encompasses original paintings; album covers, logos, and stage designs for bands including Yes as they celebrate their 40th anniversary; virtual worlds, characters, and logos for computer games companies such as Psygnosis, Bullet-Proof Software, and Tetris; and concepts and designs for both opera and animated movies. Finally, there is a review of Roger's passion for eco-friendly architecture, featuring the prototypes with which he has addressed the issue of sustainable living in the twenty-first century. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==See also== | ||
+ | *[[Biomorphism]] | ||
{{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} |
Current revision
Related e |
Featured: |
Roger Dean (born 31 August 1944) is an English artist, designer, architect, and publisher. He is best known for his work on posters and album covers for musicians, which he began painting in the late 1960s. The covers often feature exotic, fantasy landscapes. His work has sold more than sixty million copies worldwide.
Contents |
Life and work
Dean was born in Ashford, Kent, but he spent most of his childhood moving around the world with his British Army father. The family returned to England in 1959 where he was educated at Ashford Grammar School. He later earned a National Diploma of Design from the Canterbury College of Art. In 1968, he graduated from the Royal College of Art in London where he was a student of Professor David Pye. His Masters thesis was on 'The psychology of the built environment'. He has lived in East Sussex since 1972.
Invention vs design
Beginning in the field of design, he preferred to distinguish between design (the reworking of existing models), and invention (making something new). One of his inventions was the "sea urchin chair." It was a foam chair, which, though appearing spherical, would conform to the sitter, who could obtain a seated position of varying angles. Later, he was asked to design a "landscape" of similar seating for a club belonging to Ronnie Scott. His "retreat pod" chair design was featured in the film A Clockwork Orange.
Album covers
His first album cover work was in 1968 for The Gun. He also did the artwork for Atomic Rooster's album In Hearing of... This album cover hinted at the inimitable style for which he would later become famous. In the same year Dean produced the cover for the first album by the African/Caribbean band Osibisa, which featured a hybrid insect/elephant. This was much closer to Dean's work as we came to know it and it attracted widespread attention. Later that year, he began the partnership with the progressive rock bands Yes (and Asia) for which he is best known. His first design for the band was for their album Fragile. Dean designed the now-classic Yes "bubble" logo, which first appeared on the album Close to the Edge, and continued to create covers for the band until as recently as 2011 (Fly From Here). Yes guitarist Steve Howe said, "There is a pretty tight bond between our sound and Roger's art." In addition to their album covers, Dean also contributed to his brother Martyn Dean's stage set designs for the band.
Known primarily for the dreamy, other-worldly scenes he has created for Yes, Budgie, Uriah Heep, Gentle Giant and other bands, Dean has said, "I don't really think of myself as a fantasy artist but as a landscape painter." Characteristic landscapes show graceful stone arches (as shown in Arches Mist, below) or floating islands, while many paintings show organic appearing habitats (such as shown in the cover for Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe). Though he primarily works with watercolour paints, many of his paintings make use of multiple media, including gouache, ink, enamel, crayon and collage. In addition to his cover paintings, Dean is respected for his calligraphic work, designing logos and titles to go with his paintings.
Video game art
Beginning in 1985 with the software company Psygnosis, Dean has been responsible for the cover artwork for several video games, including Shadow of the Beast, Tetris Worlds as well as a redesign of the Tetris logo.
Publishing
Three compilations of his work have been published, including Views (1975) (the success of which led him to form publishing house Paper Tiger Books), Magnetic Storm (1984), and Dragon's Dream (2008). In addition, his architectural and furniture work have been exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum and in the Royal Academy.
Legal case against James Cameron
In June 2013, Dean filed a legal action at a court in New York against Canadian film director James Cameron. Dean accused Cameron of "wilful and deliberate copying, dissemination and exploitation" of his original images, relating to Cameron's 2009 film Avatar. Dean sought damages of $50m.
Album and videogame covers
Album covers
Video game covers
- 1986 Brataccas, Mindscape Inc./Psygnosis
- 1987 Barbarian, Psygnosis
- 1987 Terrorpods, Psygnosis
- 1988 Chrono Quest, Psygnosis
- 1988 Obliterator, Psygnosis
- 1989 Shadow of the Beast, Psygnosis/Reflections
- 1989 Stryx, Psyclapse
- 1990 Infestation, Psygnosis
- 1990 Shadow of the Beast II, Psygnosis/Reflections
- 1991 Amnios, Psygnosis
- 1992 Agony, Psygnosis
- 1992 Faceball 2000, Bullet-Proof Software
- 2001 Tetris Worlds, THQ
- 2007 Tetris Splash, Tetris Online, Inc. (title screens)
Publications
- The Flights of Icarus (ISBN 0-905895-16-9 editor, contributor). Large format colour book with paintings by Dean, Martyn Dean and others. Edited by Donald Lehmkuhl, Martyn Dean and Roger Dean.
- Views (1975) (ISBN 978-0061717093) is a large-format colour book with full page and double page images of Roger Dean's works, both architectural and artistic. The text was written by Dominy Hamilton and Carla Capalbo in association with Roger Dean. The architectural section was written by Donald Lehmkuhl.
- Magnetic Storm (1984) (ISBN 978-0061717109) First published in 1984, Magnetic Storm followed in the footsteps of the million-selling Views. Employing a large format to showcase the art and design of Roger Dean, the book is a retrospective of work accomplished since the publication of its predecessor. Embracing designs for record sleeves, rock stages, movie projects, architecture, games consoles, landscapes, and books, Magnetic Storm features everything from innovative aircraft livery to the Yes logo. The new edition streamlines the original format and retains the combination of concept sketches and the finished works. It features revised design and typography, a new foreword, and a newly finished painting that Roger supplied especially for the front cover of the edition.
- Dragon's Dream (2008) (ISBN 978-0061626975) Dragon's Dream makes up the Roger Dean trilogy. A more ambitious work than its predecessors, it celebrates Roger's work from the last twenty years. This encompasses original paintings; album covers, logos, and stage designs for bands including Yes as they celebrate their 40th anniversary; virtual worlds, characters, and logos for computer games companies such as Psygnosis, Bullet-Proof Software, and Tetris; and concepts and designs for both opera and animated movies. Finally, there is a review of Roger's passion for eco-friendly architecture, featuring the prototypes with which he has addressed the issue of sustainable living in the twenty-first century.
See also