Born in Inverness in 1941 Will Maclean was a midshipman before attending Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen. In 1981 he started as a lecturer at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee, becoming Professor of Fine Art in 1994. He was elected Royal Scottish Academician in 1991. In 2005 he was awarded an MBE for services to Education and the Arts. He lives and works in Tayport, Fife with his wife, the artist Marian Leven.
Maclean is a painter, printmaker and sculptor whose work is often related to the history and culture of the Scottish Highlands with particular reference to maritime themes. In 1991 Maclean produced ‘A Night of Islands’ at Peacock for Paragon Press, an impressive suite of ten colour etchings with aquatint inspired by Gaelic poetry and sketchbooks containing daily observations and experimental work.
Maclean produced a run of single colour etchings in the years after the suite was released from which this is one.
'Dancers', a poem by Angus Martin, contains the line that gives the portfolio it's title, and deals with the demise of Ring Net Fishing, a subject which has long interested Maclean. The central image is a reworking of 'Skye Fisherman: In Memoriam', a painting with collage elements now in the collection of the MacManus Galleries, Dundee. A herring brailer,particular to ring net fishing, can be seen in the foreground, while the shape behind the figure refers to the boats themselves.
- Alan Woods from 'The Artist As Voyager' New work by Richard Demarco & Will Maclean publication produced by Peacock, 1991
Paper Size: 65 x 50 cm
Medium: Etching
Edition Size: 30
Year: 1993