Lennox Dunbar, RSA Scotland, 1952-Present

Lennox Dunbar RSA studied Painting at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen in the 70’s where he would later become Head of Art Printmaking department and is now an Emeritus Professor of Fine Art. He has been visiting artist at many universities and workshops worldwide and, since 1999, has conducted annual workshops at Printmaking Center Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. 

 

Dunbar creates contemporary work full of intrigue and which take the form of mixed media paintings and prints which explore the notion of place.

 

He uses a language of imagery inspired by tools and components from agricultural machinery which were used in the past and contemporary components which may be seen in Aberdeenshire rural life today.

 

Drawing on this iconography of the North East of Scotland, the artist appears to tease us with his invented and imagined symbols which appear amidst his multi-layered unique compositions.

 

How things evolve and in particular the significance of how, for instance culture or landscape changes through time, continues to be reflected in his work; he is  curious as to how different generations view what is valued. What were once precious or cherished objects for one individual can so easily be discarded or neglected and through time or rediscovery be reviewed or analysed with fresh curiosity and take on a renewed significance.

 

He has won many awards including Prize of the Municipal Art Museum Gyor, Hungary, International Print Biennale, Varna, Bulgaria, Shell Premier Award, major prize for the Cleveland Drawing Biennale and the Whyte and Mackay Award, Society of Scottish Artists and several major awards at the Royal Scottish Academy. He has exhibited widely in Europe and the USA.