We are sad to report the death of Alan Dyer, the Chairman and Finance Director of the Coventry Canal Basin Trust and former University Lecturer.
Alan was an artist, psychologist and writer and ran the artists’ studios at Coventry Canal Basin since 1985.
Alan Dyer was born in Nelson, Lancashire in 1944 where he attended Whitefield Secondary School. After leaving school he completed a five-year business training with CRS Ltd and went on to study fine art at Burnley School of Art, Bristol Polytechnic (BA) and the University of Reading (MFA).
During the early 1970s he studied psychology at the University of Reading and gained an MPhil for research into the psychology of perception and pictorial and symbolic form.
He subsequently carried out research on visual perception at the University of Birmingham Medical School, examining the neural mechanisms underlying visual form perception.
He also carried out research on the role of drawing in developmental psychology at the medical school and spent a further six months studying the potential of art as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool at Barnsley Hall psychiatric hospital, Bromsgrove.
He worked as a lecturer at the School of Art and Design at Coventry University for twenty-four years, teaching courses on the psychology and ideology of art while continuing to produce and exhibit paintings and drawings.
His research on computer-based hypertext systems, navigational metaphors and knowledge structures has been published widely. His text-based drawings explore connections between psychological theories and visual language and his paintings employ free-association techniques.
In 1997 he left teaching to concentrate on research, writing and painting.
Alan was a founder member of the Coventry Canal Basin Trust Ltd. becoming the Chairman and Finance Director in 1985. In this role he was responsible for managing 25 studios and workshops for young artists, designers and craftspeople at the restored warehouse premises in Coventry’s canal basin.
Alan was responsible for restoration of the Warehouse, leaving a lasting legacy for the people of Coventry, which he lovingly cared for over forty years. He created an environment in which many young people thrived and are still thriving, most of them Coventry Polytechnic/University leavers who have made their homes in and around Coventry and so enriching our City.
He has left a great legacy to the people of Coventry and one that the Trustees will endeavour to continue.
Alan was kind enough to host a visit to the Canal Warehouses by the Coventry Society in August 2023.
Our condolences to Alan’s partner Alison and fellow artists.