Gordon Mckenna Studio

Gordon Mckenna in his studio in London UK. He is surrounded by recent paintings

Gordon Mckenna is a British artist who lives and works in Aberdeen Scotland UK. His work is influenced by his interest in how an accumulated history of images, stories and mythologies impact on the way we shape our own personal identities. Gordon's fascination with people and the environments they live and socialise in has created a landscape of extraordinary beings living in an increasingly unpredictable, cosmopolitan and dynamic world.

"I have always been interested in the human experience and our connection to the natural world and our own natures. This connection is spiritual, mystical, magical and transcends the limitations of our physical bodies."

He attributes his style and the influences in his work to his many journeys in life and to the bright and vibrant colours he grew up with in Africa.

Gordon currently sells his silk-screen and digital art prints through www.gordonmckennastudio.com and selected galleries.

More about: www.gordonmckennastudio.com

Aim and objectives: To produce art works, on paper, that are lightweight and easy to transport reducing the carbon footprint of collecting original artworks. Frames and mounts for paper based work can then be easily resourced locally and this has further environmental benefits.

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Declaration:

Gordon Mckenna is the sole producer of the images and art works at www.gordonmckennastudio.com and asserts his copyright on all the images and other content used by www.gordonmckennastudio.com.

More about Gordon Mckenna

Exhibitions

Current: Peacock and the Worm online gallery

2025: Gallery Heinzel Winter exhibition, Aberdeen. Scotland.

2023: The Old Bank Vault Gallery. London

2023: Hampstead Summer Festival Art Fair. London

2023: Candid Gallery, The nude (June) and Summer Salon (July). London

2022: Candid Gallery, Summer Salon. London

2017 - 2022: www.saachiart.com. 3 exhibitions. Online

2010: Bargate monument gallery and Quay Arts. A Rules and Regs project. Isle of Whight

2009: Bluecoat gallery. Refurbishment grand opening. A Rules and Regs project with Abandon Normal Devices. Liverpool

2009: Contemporary Arts Projects, the London Arts Festival.

2007: Mythology, Solo painting exhibition. Shipton Street Gallery. London

2008: Tender Pixel Gallery. London

2007: Winter Fresh Festival. Bracknell

2005: East End Collaborations, LADA, Queen Mary University, London.

2004: National Film Theatre. Installation for film festival. London

2004: The Fire Station Exhibition, The Old Fire Station. London

2004: Triple Decker, Redchurch Street, London.

2003: Camden Arts Centre, “Mirrors signals, manoeuvres”. London

2003: "Open Studio", work in progress ArtsAdmin Arts bursary. Tonybee Hall. London

2000: "Merge' the Balmedie Dunes project. Limousine Bull. Aberdeenshire, Scotland

2000: The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. Millenium Celebrations. Frazerbrugh, Scotland

2000: The McManus Gallery, Millennium Celebrations. Dundee, Scotland

1999: Justice street, Limousine Bull. Aberdeen, Scotland

1998: Duff House, Limousine Bull. Banff, Scotland

1998: Royal Scottish Academy, Summer Exhibition. Edinburgh, Scotland

1993: An Turienne Art centre, summer exhibition. Isle of Skye, Scotland

Awards:

Gordon won several awards between 1998 and 2009 which impacted significantly on his artistic development.

2009: Rules and Regs and Abandon Normal Devices. 1 month residency at the Bluecoat in Liverpool.

2004: Awards for individual artists. Arts Council of England. For an installation artwork at the National Film Theatre during the film festival.

2002: ArtsAdmin arts bursary recipient. To expore and develope his art practice. Tonybe Hall London.

2000: ACME Studios Fire Station project. Bursary recipient for a 4 year artist residency in London with Acme Studios, London (2001 - 2005). Followed by a further 9 months in The Sugar house residency (2005) also in London.

1999: Aberdeen Visual Arts Award allowed Gordon to further his interest in interactive digital technologies, film and action driven artworks

1998: John Kinross Scholarship in Florence. The Royal Scottish Academy Edinburgh. This was a 3 month residency in Florence in Italy. The impact of this experience still resonates in his current work.

Education

Gordon started studying Fine art in South Africa in 1989 where he accomplished 3 years of study in painting, drawing, printmaking and ceramics at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. He completed his studies and achieved a Masters Degree in Fine Art and Design in 1999 from; Grays School of art, the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland.

Community and Education work

During his studies at Grays School of Art in Aberdeen Gordon worked with Limousine Bull, an artist collective who he was a founder member of and served on the committee from its inauguration in 1998 for 2 years. 

Gordon has worked with a number of arts organisations and educational establishments including:

Camden Arts Centre, London

Shape, London

Space Place, London

Barking College, London

Aberdeen Collage, Scotland

William Ellis School, London

Hampstead High School, London

Hackney City Farm, London

Old Oak Community Centre, London

Kilburn Youth Centre, London

Peacock Printmakers, Scotland

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Biography

Gordon was born in Zimbabwe in 1968 (then known as Rhodesia) to British parents. His father was born in Glasgow, Scotland and his mother in Watford, England. He moved to South Africa when only a few months old and spent the next 23 years here. He moved to Scotland in 1992 and has lived at various points in Aberdeen, the Isle of Skye, Edinburgh and London over the past 33 years. Gordon currently lives in Aberdeen.

Gordon has work in collections in Britain, Europe, America, Canada, Australia and South Africa. 

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