Derek Jarman (English, 1942-1994) was an artist, filmmaker, gardener and activist who is considered a central figure of twentieth-century British culture. A renowned director, cinematographer and set designer, he is best known for his avant-garde art films. Many of his films explored the lives of gay and bisexual historical figures, including Caravaggio (1986) and Wittgenstein (1993), despite the dominant conservatism of the time. Collaboration was essential to Jarman’s practice. He worked with the Smiths, Pet Shop Boys and Bryan Ferry as an early maker of music videos, and helped launch the careers of Tilda Swinton and Sean Bean. After he was diagnosed with HIV in 1986, Jarman continued to elevate queer histories and experiences, giving a voice to the impact of the AIDS crisis on his community. The Slogan Paintings series appropriated words and phrases from media outlets and government policies, commenting on public fear and so-called “AIDS panic.” Around this time, he also began tending his seaside garden at Prospect Cottage, his home in Dungeness, Kent. Gardening was a source of healing and happiness throughout the duration of his illness before he died of AIDS-related complications in 1994. His Prospect Cottage garden still remains today as a tribute to his life and work. During his life, Jarman exhibited across England, including at Edward Totah Gallery, London; Institute of Contemporary Arts, London; and Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. His work has been widely exhibited posthumously, including a retrospective at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin. Jarman wrote several books, including the autobiographical Dancing Ledge (1984) and two volumes of memoirs, Modern Nature(1992) and At Your Own Risk (1992). Derek Jarman’s Garden, which documents the creation of his extraordinary garden at Dungeness was published in 1995.