Clyde McGill

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Fulbright Visual and Performing Arts Scholar sponsored by Anthony Joseph Pratt

Media Profile

“My work is concerned with the borders that exist between people – sometimes called ‘personal space’ at the individual level, this zone of exclusion is evident at many levels of interpersonal relationships. These include cultural and social boundaries, economic and historical groups and national and geopolitical borders.”

Clyde McGill has won the Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship in Visual and Performing Arts sponsored by Anthony Joseph Pratt and will undertake a Masters of Fine Art at Hunter College, University of New York. He completed a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from Murdoch University, prior to completing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Curtin University in 2006.

Clyde’s studies will focus on “exploring the cultural implications of the ambiguity of contemporary borders, including the Australian American Pacific border”.

“The changing demarcation of essentially cultural space is rich for me in social terms but also as a way of looking at the contemporary world and creating art. Imagining and speculating on the reasons for the continuing existence of borders and their effect on all people living together peacefully and equally provides the powerful possibility of long term benefits for Australia and all communities,” explains Clyde.

Clyde wanted to pursue his art in the U.S. as it is a vibrant and innovative leader in contemporary art. “The opportunities it provides for me are almost infinite in the many facets of my art making. The collections of art, the art communities, and the libraries will have a very valuable impact on me.”

Clyde works as an artist and is a sessional lecturer in art at Curtin University. His artmaking varies according to which medium suits the idea or project. “I use drawing, print making, performance, artists’ books, video, photography and installation”.

He has exhibited his work widely including solo exhibitions Finding where the edges are, Holmes a Court Gallery, Perth (2007) and The foreigner in ourselves at Artspace Mackay, Mackay (2008) and numerous group exhibitions including Hatched at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (2006). His art is in The National Gallery of Australia and other public and private collections.

He has received a number of awards for his study and art including: the Libris National Artists’ Book Award, Mackay Artspace, Mackay QLD (2006); Vice-Chancellor’s List Membership (2003-2006) and Dean’s Commendation, Curtin University; Honours Art Studio Academic Excellence Award, Curtin University (2006). Clyde is a member of the Murdoch University Veterinary Trust.