Alastair MacLennan

Scottish artist Alastair MacLennan attended Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee. Best known for his distinctive form of performance art which he terms ‘actuations, his practice also embraces drawing, installation and the use of found objects, materials and artefacts. He has performed and exhibited internationally since the early 1970s. He represented Ireland at the Venice Biennale in 1997 and taught at the School of Art, Ulster University, from then until 2008.

After completing his Masters’ Degree at the School of the Art Institute, Chicago, in 1968, Alastair MacLennan worked in the USA and Canada and studied/practiced Rinzai Zen before returning to the UK, where he settled permanently in Belfast in 1975. He taught at the School of Art, Ulster University, from then until 2008, including leading the Masters’ programme for 11 years. He is now Emeritus Professor in Fine Art. MacLennan has performed and exhibited internationally since the early 1970s. He represented Ireland at the Venice Biennale in 1997 and among his collaborations is his long association with the performance group, Black Market International.