Tag: Derek Jarman

Derek Jarman (31 January 1942 – 19 February 1994) remains an iconic figure in the realms of art, film, design, and activism. This English polymath was not only a visionary filmmaker and artist but also an influential costume and stage designer, a prolific writer, an avid gardener, and a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Born at the Royal Victoria Nursing Home in Northwood, Middlesex, England, Derek Jarman was the son of Elizabeth Evelyn (née Puttock) and Lancelot Elworthy Jarman. His father, originally from New Zealand, served as a Royal Air Force officer. Jarman’s educational journey began at Hordle House School, followed by boarding at Canford School in Dorset. Later, in 1960, he pursued higher education at King’s College London before embarking on a four-year artistic odyssey at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London (UCL) in 1963. During the 1970s, his creative sanctuary was at Butler’s Wharf, London.

Derek Jarman boldly championed gay rights and openly shared his personal battle with AIDS after being diagnosed as HIV positive on 22 December 1986. This transformative experience prompted him to seek solace at Prospect Cottage, located near the Dungeness nuclear power station in Kent, where he ultimately succumbed to an AIDS-related illness in 1994 at the age of 52. An atheist by belief, Jarman found his final resting place in the St Clement’s Church graveyard in Old Romney, Kent.

During his twilight years, Jarman found steadfast companionship in Keith Collins, a young man he met in 1987. Although not romantic partners, their friendship became a source of profound support for both. Jarman’s legacy lives on, symbolized by a blue plaque unveiled at Butler’s Wharf in London on 19 February 2019, commemorating the 25th anniversary of his passing. Derek Jarman’s multifaceted contributions continue to inspire and resonate across various artistic and activist spheres.