Art off the Rock 2010 - Lot 26

Art off the Rock 2010 - Lot 26, originally uploaded by Artlink Central.

Will Maclean MBE

Two decoys

18 cm x 13 cm

Background & Influences:
Will Maclean was born in Inverness into a family of fishermen. After spending two years in the Merchant Navy from the age of fifteen, he studied at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen, from 1961 to 1967. In 1973 Maclean was commissioned by the Scottish International Education Trust to make a detailed study of the declining Scottish ring net fishing industry. This resulted in a collection of some 400 works, permanently in the Scottish National Gallery of modern Art. Since 1974 Maclean has made assemblages using found objects from the shore, as well as specially constructed items. Inspired by historical, literary and mythological aspects of Scottish seafaring history, Maclean’s box constructions are visual tales of the sea. He has lectured at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, eventually as Emeritus Professor

Awards, Exhibitions and Collections:

He was elected Royal Scottish Academician in 1991 and in 1997 he designed and as part of the team, won the Scottish Natural Heritage Supreme Award for three Memorial Cairns in Lewis. In 1999 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of St Andrews, winning the Scottish Arts Council Creative Scotland Award in the same year.

Will Mclean has had solo exhibitions in the UK, Canada and America, and many group exhibitions. His work can be found in many public collections in the UK and abroad.

http://www.studio-international.co.uk/reports/maclean_will.asp