Derek Whitehead began his Visual Arts studies with extensive private tuition in Sydney before commencing an undergraduate program in Studio Practice and Art History at Goldsmiths College, London University, in the early 1970s. Subsequently he read Languages and History at St Andrews University, Scotland.

Returning to Australia he undertook postgraduate studies in Education while exhibiting his artwork at Galleries in Sydney and Canberra. He holds two Master’s degrees, a PhD from Sydney University, and has taught in the Secondary and Higher Education sectors. He has a research background in Fine Arts, Aesthetics and Philosophy and his writings are published in respected scholarly journals internationally.

Derek is a Trustee of the Kedumba Drawing Award and has a drawing in the Kedumba Collection, having been selected in 2009. His artwork is represented in private collections in Australia, UK and Malaysia.