Inspiring generations of creators
Art education continues to be a fundamental part of Dundee, with art and design-focused programmes offered by three future-facing educational institutions: Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD), Abertay University, and Dundee & Angus College. This panel honours internationally renowned artists with links to Dundee and the city’s arts education – including jewellery-makers, photographers and film-makers, computer graphic designers, cartoonists, graffiti artists, painters and printers, sculptors, fashion designers, and stained glass artists.
1. The rug makers
This image is inspired by a photo of local rug-makers that appeared in ‘The Courier’ in 1932.
2. Angela Hunter – ‘March of the Penguins’
Dundee’s much-loved bronze penguins can be found walking along the wall near St Mary’s Church, where they are often dressed for the season by locals. The sculpture was created by Angela Hunter in 2005, and commissioned by Dundee City Council.
3. Francis Boag – ‘White Anemones and Kumquats’
Born in Dundee in 1948, Francis Boag studied at DJCAD in the late sixties where his tutors included Alberto Morrocco and David McClure. Francis has been a full-time artist since 2001, painting vibrant still life studies, portraits and landscapes.
4. David Mach – ‘Out of Order’
David Mach’s iconic tumbling telephone box sculpture can be seen in Kingston upon Thames in Surrey, where it was installed in 1989. David was born in Fife in 1956 and studied sculpture at DJCAD. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Dundee in 2002, and appointed Professor of Inspiration and Discovery there in 2004.
5. David McClure
Artist David McClure (1926-1998) taught painting at DJCAD between 1957 and 1985. His own paintings included carefully observed, boldly coloured still life and landscape studies, including locations in Fife and Angus.
6. James McIntosh Patrick RSA – ‘The Tay Bridge from my Studio Window’
Born in Dundee, James McIntosh Patrick (1907-1998) was a successful painter and printmaker, and a part-time lecturer at Dundee College of Art (the forerunner to DJCAD). His work includes meticulous landscape etchings and dramatic landscapes painted in oil, and he became an elected member of RSA (Royal Scottish Academy) in 1957.
7. Alastair Smart ARSA – ‘The Dragon’
Alastair Smart (1937-1992) taught sculpture at DJCAD for 28 years, and several of his sculptures can be seen in or near Dundee – including ‘Peter Pan’ in Kirriemuir and the ‘Whale’s Teeth’ at Polepark Road junction. ‘The Dragon’ is located in the city centre and was completed by Anthony Morrow, a former student, after Alastair’s death.
8. Life drawing
Drawing from life is a regular exercise for art students at DJCAD.
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9. Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art
DJCAD is named after James A. L. Duncan of Jordanstone and Drumfork, who bequeathed a large sum of money from his estate in 1909 to build an independent school of industrial art. In 1911, the existing Dundee Technical Institute moved to Bell Street and re-opened as Dundee Technical College & School of Art. In the 1930s, it was agreed that the School of Art would have its own site but, due to the war, construction did not begin until 1953 and classes eventually began in 1955. The college was officially renamed Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in 1975 and remained independent until 1994, when it became part of the University of Dundee.
10. Linda Brownlee
After a 38-year career in nursing, trained textile designer Linda Brownlee returned to her love of drawing. She now creates beautiful ink-pen and collage drawings of her home town of Dundee which she describes as ‘Dundee Rearranged Slightly’.
11. Michael McVeigh
Born in Lochee in 1957, Michael McVeigh left school with no formal qualifications but, after attending DJCAD without consent, he was later accepted as a full-time student. He became a street artist in Edinburgh in the 1980s, and is now a modern day folk artist.
12. Alberto Morrocco RSA, RSW – ‘Sleeping Melon Vendor’
Alberto Morrocco (1917-1998) became a key name in 20th century Scottish art, and his bold and distinctive painting style reflects his Italian heritage. He was Head of Painting at DJCAD from 1950, and he was elected RSA in 1962.
13. Sydney Jordan – ‘Jeff Hawke’
Sydney Jordan was born in Dundee in 1928, and after training in aviation technology, he worked as an illustrator and cartoonist. Sydney’s best-known creation was Jeff Hawke, an intrepid RAF pilot who took part in extraordinary sci-fi adventures. It ran in the ‘Daily Express’ from 1954-1975.
14. Charles Monteith Walker – ‘Sunflowers’
Scottish painter Charles Monteith Walker attended DJCAD from 1978-1982. Following visits to Mediterranean Europe in the 1990s, he produced warm, colourful oil paintings of still lifes and landscapes.
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15. David Foggie – ‘The Little Dancer’
Dundee-born artist David Foggie (1878-1948) took art lessons from an early age, and joined the Dundee Graphic Arts Association in 1896. He studied in Antwerp and by 1920, he was a teacher of Life Drawing at Edinburgh College of Art. He painted tender, empathetic portraits that celebrated everyday life.