Dominic Culkin was born in Sunderland in 1948, to a shipwright Father and housewife Mother. His early education was provided first by the Sisters of Mercy at primary school, followed by the Christian Brothers at St Aidan’s RC Grammar School on passing the 11+.
Aged 16, Dominic left school and began work as an administrative assistant at the Port Authority by day, while pursuing his A-levels in the evenings. His artistic journey began aged 17, where he enrolled in a Graphic Design course, developing a portfolio which earned him a place on the Foundation Course at Sunderland School of Art. He went on to complete a BA (Hons) in Fine Art (Sculpture), followed by a postgraduate teaching qualification. A fanatical supporter of Sunderland FC from birth, Dominic’s dreams of making it as a professional footballer were halted by an ACL injury whilst at university. Nevertheless, he continued playing at a lower level, well into his 60s.
In the early 1970s, amid the devastating closure of shipyards, coal mines, and other allied industries in the North East of England, Dominic relocated south with his wife and three small children to the leafy glades of Hertfordshire. There he took up the post of Teacher of Art at St. Michael’s Catholic High School, and later at the Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School, where he remained until his retirement in 2011.
Still residing in Hertfordshire, Dominic finds great enjoyment traveling widely, and to this day, continues to source and gather new materials for his work. He frequently visits London and Cambridge to indulge in his love of Art and culture, holding membership to the Tate, the V&A, and the British Trust for Ornithology. Dominic also has an enduring love for modern dance, which began when his then-girlfriend, now wife, took him to a performance by Northern Dance at Sunderland Empire. Shows by the Nederlands Dance Theatre and Michael Clark have been his particular favourites over the years. While this all keeps him mentally and physically agile, he still finds the time to watch Racing TV, appreciate his extensive vinyl collection, and celebrate the achievements of his former students.