DaneWATKINSTributes are being paid across the Plymouth artistic community following the death of Artist and Lecturer, Dane Watkins on 7 May, 2022, at St Luke's Hospice, aged 56. Dane was a much loved colleague of staff at Plymouth University, where he taught on the illustration course, as well as at Falmouth University. Dane studied animation originally at Liverpool John Moores University before returning to the South West of England to develop his practice as an artist. He was the recipient of the 2004 Clark Digital Bursary at Watershed Media Centre in Bristol and undertook many international residencies, including in Europe, USA and Japan. Most recently he was studying for his PhD at Falmouth University, which was nearing completion at the time of his death. Dane loved Plymouth and made a home at Devils Point with his partner and wife Clare Thornton, also an artist, who tragically died from cancer in 2019. Both Clare and Dane were looked after by staff from St Luke's Hospice in Plymouth and were hugely grateful for the sensitive care that they received. As an artist, Dane specialised in data and animation, exploring how new technology can be used to test how people feel about exhibitions and environments. In his leisure time, Dane explored every nook and cranny of Plymouth on his bicycle, including the odd forgotten corners. Funeral Service will be at 12:15 on Friday the 27th May, 2022 at Weston Mill Crematorium, handled by Wyatt Brothers. Donations to St Luke's Hospice. Simon Poulter, an artist and Dane’s best friend said: “Dane had a constant enquiring mind and a range of skills that were exceptional. He could draw, code, argue and make people laugh, often at the same time. We have received a huge number of tributes from Dane’s friends and colleagues from all over the world. Dane wanted it to be known that he didn’t fight cancer but he came to terms with where he was in his life. He missed Clare enormously and was hugely grateful to his mother, Daphne, for the care she gave him in the last months of his life. He welcomed the support and love of his daughter, Kim, who was around in the last few weeks and was extremely grateful to Derek at St Luke's for the home care he received.’
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