ALEXANDER MCKENZIE

Alexander McKenzie’s newly imagined landscapes explore the terrain between the dreamlike and the familiar, the real and the imagined, the temporal and the spiritual, a place of unease as well as the sublime.

In Acarsaid, meaning anchorage in Scottish Gallic, McKenzie deals with ideas like refuge, safety, and reclusiveness. An inner shore to escape to amongst the turmoil of an emotional life. Alexander McKenzie’s meticulous arcadian landscapes depict imagined lakes, rivers and mountains that echo a romantic lineage whilst tackling contemporary issues of belonging, confusion, memory and mortality in a strong narrative that runs through his painting.

Alexander McKenzie has exhibited extensively in Australia and the UK. He has been a six time finalist in the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ Archibald Prize and an eight time finalist in the Wynne Prize. Alexander recently completed a large commission for the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to be in the permanent collection in the First World War Gallery as part of the 100th year anniversary of Galipolli taking place next year in 2015.