James Alexander McKenzie

Website: http://jamesalexandermckenzie.com

Email: mckenzie_james@hotmail.co.uk

Click on a thumbnail image above to enlarge.



Degree show installation, 2017.

'In search of the miraculous. First point of contact with the miraculous: The Nursery', 2016, paint, mixed media and collage on found object, approximately 85cm in width. 'Caledonia', 2017, paint, mixed media and collage on canvas and board, 65 x 81cm.

CONCORD NUDIST installation, SSA 121st Annual Exhibition, 2018-19.

RSA New Contemporaries installation, 2017.

'The Poem of Creation' performance at private view of RSA New Contemporaries, 2017.

'Ecstasy ab Initio' unauthorized poetry reading at the Scottish National Gallery, 2018.


Statement

James Alexander McKenzie is a painter working within the expanded field of painting, encompassing sculpture, installation, collage, found objects, music, poetry, prose and performance in his impulsive and therapeutic practice. Spontaneity is essential to his methodology and permeates whatever output he finds himself working towards. His methodology is ungoverned and non-complacent and through it he meanders with themes and expands his understanding of the degrees of his identity. He is heavily influenced by his work with children and people with disabilities and rejoices at their uncomplicated nature, and endeavors to attain the fullness he so often finds they have with his artistic practice.

McKenzie considers his writing to be painting in an expanded field given that his painting and writing practices are unified; with both he exercises an intuitive, fluid therapeutic technique. Sometimes finding ease in painting, sometimes in writing poetry, sometimes in a different mode altogether, McKenzie challenges what constitutes a painting. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5MIhPL7DPgncHgHM8nZ-wg

Biography

Education

2014-2017: Art and Philosophy BA at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee (graduated with honours first class)
2012-2013: General Foundation at Leith School of Art, Edinburgh

Awards

2018: RSA New Contemporaries Carnegie Scholarship for painting
2017: RSA New Contemporaries 2018 Selected Artist
2017: James Guthrie Orchar Memorial Art Prize, Dundee University
2012: Robert Paterson Pencil Portrait Award, George Watson's College

Exhibition

2018-19:CONCORD NUDIST, SSA 121st Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2018: ECSTASY AB INITIO, unauthorized poetry reading, Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh
2018: Live Music// Jam Session// Poetry ETC, The George Orwell, Dundee
2018: RSA New Contemporaries, Royal Scottish Academy
2017: RSA Open Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy
2017: Best of Degree Show, Six Foot Gallery, Glasgow
2017: Art, Design & Architecture Degree Show 2017, Duncan and Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee
2017: Trans-Fixed Live Performance Event, Generator Projects, Dundee
2016: ATTRIBUTES, Room 601, DJCAD
2016: MULTI, Matthew Entrance Gallery, DJCAD
2016: Art & Philosophy's First Social Event 16/17, Matthew Entrance Gallery, DJCAD