Duality Of Existence In Shape And Form
Struan Hamilton is a printmaker born in Scotland in 1971. His work draws inspiration from the organic happenings within the man made environment of a modern city. This duality of existence in shapes and forms creates a dynamic dialogue that generates a multitude of visual experience for the viewer. Working predominantly in intaglio and more specifically in viscosity etching, he has the ability to push the surface of an etching plate, and be pushed back in turn by it. This conflictual process generates a dynamism inherent throughout his work.
View “TGV” within the Collection
TGV by Struan Hamilton
Viscosity Printing and Fine Art Teacher
“From October 1994 to July 1998 I extended my printmaking experience at the Atelier Contrepoint in Paris, France. The Atelier has a world-wide reputation since its original founding by S.W Hayter. During my time there I studied and developed my skills in the technique of simultaneous colour printing (viscosity) and the use of classical burin in modern engraving and etching. I was soon invited to work as printmaking assistant to Hector Saunier, the Atelier’s director, and its head technician, Sun Sun Yip. My responsibilities included the preparation of all work surfaces, mixing of viscosity and intaglio inks, roller and press maintenance and exhibition arrangements.
On returning to Scotland I was employed at the newly built Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre to assist in the set up of their printmaking facilities, this gave me valuable knowledge in the use of space and layout of open access workshops. After Dundee I was the manager of Belfast Print Workshop. I am presently the 2D Team Leader for Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, having taken up this position in July 2009. My responsibilities here include the teaching of Fine Art Printmaking to 1st years through to PHD candidates.”- Struan Hamilton
Resume
- Montrose Academy, Angus, Scotland ,1983 – 1989
- Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, Scotland , 1989 – 1993
Qualification
- Bachelor of Design (Hons), Illustration and Printmaking
Further Training
- Atelier Contrepoint (formerly Atelier 17), Paris , 1994 – 1996, 1998
- Assistant printmaker to Sun Sun Yip, 1994 – 1995 & 1998
- Assistant printmaker to Hector Saunier, 1995 – 1996
Selected Exhibitions
- “Ask an Expert” – Project Space, Elam School of Fine Arts, 2013
- “Cartographies of Ruin”, Solo show, Saatchi and Saatchi, Auckland, 2013
- “First Impressions”, (Prizewinner), Auckland New Zealand, 2013
- “Print Internacional de Cadaques” – Cadaques, Spain, 2012
- “Underground Art”, House of Hedone, Auckland, 2011
- “8 Technicians”, Project Space, Elam School of Fine Arts, NZ, 2011
- “Homework”, Project Space, Elam School of Fine Arts, NZ, 2010
- “Red”, Solander Works on Paper, Wellington, NZ, 2010
- ”Eros – Thanatos”, Quebec, Canada, 2009
- “Rock”, Luxembourg, 2009
- Solo Show, Island Arts Centre, Lisburn, 2008
- “Footprint” Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk. 2008
- Royal Ulster Academy Annual Show, Belfast, 2008
- “Impressions”, Galway, ROI, 2008
- “Node”, Original Print Gallery, Dublin (Prizewinner), 2008
- “Double Elephant”, Ormeau Baths Gallery Belfast, 2007
- “Rediscover”, Washington, USA, 2007
- “Input-Amplification-Output”, Arttank, Belfast, 2007
- “Diverse Realities”, Martha Street Studio, Winnipeg, Canada, 2007
- “Mind, Body, Soul”, Naughton Gallery,2006
- Empreinte Showcase, Luxembourg; Belfast, 2006
- Gracefield Mini Print Show, Dumfries (Prizewinner), 2006
- Church Lane Gallery, Belfast, 2004
- Summer Salon, The Meffan, Forfar. 2004
- “New Contemporaries”, Art Tank, Belfast, 2004
- “12 Printmakers”, Townhouse Gallery, Belfast, 2004
- “Showcase”, 411 Gallery, Hangzhou city, China, 2004
- RGI, Glasgow, 2004
- “The Art of Angus”, Montrose Museum, 2002
- BPW, “Imagine”, Belfast, 2002
- BPW An Culturlann, Belfast, Recent Print Work, 2002
- Exeter University, England, 2002
- Artists in the North, Dyehouse Gallery, Waterford, 2002
- “Showcase,” Lemon Street Gallery, Dublin, 2001
- BPW, Engine Room Gallery, Belfast, 2001
- “The Really Big Print Show”, Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast, 2001
- Conoco, Aberdeen, solo show, 2000
- Angus Artists’ Summer Salon, Forfar, (Prizewinner), 2000
- Belfast Print Workshop, Annual Show, 2000
Editioned Artists
Barbara Rae (2001); Alice Maher; James Allen; Sophie Aghajanian (2002); Diarmuid Delargy (2003). David Mach; Brian Connolly (2003); Stuart Duffin; Natalie Russell (2004); Sun Sun Yip; Diarmuid Delargy (2005); Claire Morgan (2006); Scott Laverie; Simon McWilliams; Ivan Armstrong (2007) Hector McDonald; David Haughey, Barbara Rae (2008); Neil Shawcross (2009). Heavy Industries (Korea); P Mule; Michael Parekowhai (2010) Paul Elliman (2011)
Collections
- Conoco Phillips (UK), Aberdeen
- House of Lords, London
- Northern Ireland Arts Council
- Derby F.C. Co.
- Wexford County Council, ROI
- Angus County Council, Scotland
- Bavaria Motors Group
- Royal Hospitals Trust, Belfast
- BBC Northern Ireland
Professional Development
- Viscosity Print Workshop, UCOL, Whanganui, New Zealand, 2014
- “The Art of Printmaking”, Talk and Demo, Auckland Art Gallery, 2012
- Impact Printmaking Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 2011
- Lithography Master Class, APS, Auckland, NZ, 2010
- Artists Residency, Atelier Empreinte, Luxembourg, 2006
- Impact Printmaking conference, Berlin / Poznan, 2005