Dean Tercel is a self taught artist born in Auckland in 1966. In the past 14 years he has consistently focused his art practice on the figure - specifically the female figure. His work entitled 'Suburban Madonna' was a finalist in the National Portrait Awards in 2004. This latest series of life size paintings combine the figure with the subjects personal narratives and mementos - from Care Bears to Dostoyevsky.

Dean will be contributing to a collective exhibition at Oedipus Rex in February 2007 entitled Portrayal. The much anticipated showcase of portraiture will include Tercels work along side paintings by Eleanor Wright and Evan Woodruffe.