Narrative
Art has been the mainspring of my life. It has been augmented by a variety of work, including teaching, giving me a healthy awareness and appreciation of the world in which we live.
I studied graphic design at Cooper Union School of Art, New York and came to London as a Fulbright scholar to the Royal College of Art (1966-1968). Moving with my family to New Zealand (1982-2002) gave me the opportunity to develop my skills as an assemblage artist. I exhibited widely in that country and was honoured to be the recipient of a Queen Elizabeth ll Creative New Zealand Grant.
I’ve always collected things – mainly manufactured items, responding to things I love. Working mostly as an assemblagist, I use items from my collection. I investigate and ‘play’ with whatever object I am working on and get to know the material in some depth. One could say I learn to speak its language and dance its dance. I respond and interpret via my work, sometimes introducing other materials and - ideas - the cohesive element in my art, born of experience, interest and imagination.
It is good to live back in England after a decade in Maine, USA - where I converted an old Store into a Studio and Gallery, to work, exhibit and promote my art. See video >>
I am still a working artist at our studio home in Stoke-on-Trent, England.
Edward Mackenzie 2023
I studied graphic design at Cooper Union School of Art, New York and came to London as a Fulbright scholar to the Royal College of Art (1966-1968). Moving with my family to New Zealand (1982-2002) gave me the opportunity to develop my skills as an assemblage artist. I exhibited widely in that country and was honoured to be the recipient of a Queen Elizabeth ll Creative New Zealand Grant.
I’ve always collected things – mainly manufactured items, responding to things I love. Working mostly as an assemblagist, I use items from my collection. I investigate and ‘play’ with whatever object I am working on and get to know the material in some depth. One could say I learn to speak its language and dance its dance. I respond and interpret via my work, sometimes introducing other materials and - ideas - the cohesive element in my art, born of experience, interest and imagination.
It is good to live back in England after a decade in Maine, USA - where I converted an old Store into a Studio and Gallery, to work, exhibit and promote my art. See video >>
I am still a working artist at our studio home in Stoke-on-Trent, England.
Edward Mackenzie 2023
