Biography

Born in Leicestershire, CD Lewis studied at LCDT School (The Place, London WC1) and Saint Martins School of Art along with other art colleges, and institutions.

She was invited to join the London Contemporary Dance Theatre as a principal dancer, and choreographer. She was named, in the 1970s as ‘the first Black woman to join a professional dance company, in England’. She identifies as biracial whose origins are an English Mother, and a Barbadian Father.

This lived experience has culminated in the realisation that each person has a life as vivid and complex as your own.

As a multidisciplinary artist she makes paintings, drawings, prints, installations performance, films and collaborations.

She lives and works from her studio in the Dartmoor National Park, Devon alongside curating shows nationwide.

2024-

CD Lewis is an associate of the Preston Street Union an affiliation of artists initiated by Trevor Pitt during a residency at Spacex Exeter.

Associate artist, in residence at EVA Studios, Exeter.

Currently a painting student at Turps Art School, London (CC 2022-24).

1968-1980

LCDT School

LCDT Dance Company

Associate choreographer Maas Movers (London)

Associate Director, Choreographer Alpha Multimedia Dance Group touring Edinburgh Festival and Europe.

1980-1992

Worked in television and film.

Life model at Slade School of Fine Art (Jo Volley, Euan Uglow, Adele Rootstein, Pauline Smith).

Art History, Painting, Print studies and courses at London and Cornwall art colleges.

Teaching, choreography and Art projects in Cornwall schools and colleges.

2008-2019

Various solo projects and research.

OU History of Art.

PSU Collaborations

US CHAPS. BOOKMARKS.ART VENDING MACHINE.

SPACEX, JUNEAU PROJECTS, Makers of the Multiverse, a sculptural pavilion (Phillip Duckworth and Ben Sadler) Exeter Quay.

Associate Artist, Exeter Phoenix.

EVA Studios Exhibition.

Helluo Librorum. (installation), Exeter Library

2020-23

Ponds, Ghost ponds, creek walks, research project. Dartmoor National Park.

Fungi at night, research project, Dartmoor National Park.

The Intricacy of Things (Dechen)

At Home: Faith and Doubt drawing series.

Haines & Watts Exhibition space, Exeter.

‘Mud, for you.’, Fitzrovia Gallery, London.

‘DO NOT SWALLOW’, Safehouse 1 + 2, London. Sept 18th-24th, 2023

2024-

LICK, Safehouse 1, London April 12th-14th 2024

Bollington Arts Centre, Macclesfield, October 2024

Haines & Watts Exhibition Space, Exeter. Dec 2024 - March 2025