Bruce McLean

Bruce McLean is a sculptor who has worked in many mediums including film, paint and live action. His works question and enquire into the nature of sculpture.

As an art student he rebelled against the establishment, abandoning conventional studio production in favour of impermanent sculptures and live actions, impersonations and dance. He often uses satire and humour to confront the pretensions of the art world and wider social issues including bureaucracy and institutional politics. When offered a show at the Tate Gallery in 1972 he opted for a one day ‘retrospective’ entitled ‘King for a Day’.

McLean has exhibited in important international shows including 'When Attitudes Become Form’, at Kunsthalle Bern, 1969, and ‘A New Spirit in Painting’, at the Royal Academy in 1981. He has had solo exhibitions at major institutions including Whitechapel Art Gallery and Tate. In 2007 he collaborated with North Ayrshire Council to design an innovative and experimental building for a local primary school. McLean’s work is in many collections including the Arts Council, British Council, and Tate.

He is represented by Bernard Jacobson London and Tanya Leighton Gallery Berlin.