ALASTAIR MACKINVEN
1971-2025, United KingdomAlastair MacKinven was a British artist celebrated for his boundary-pushing, multidisciplinary practice encompassing painting, performance, video, and installation. Born in Clatterbridge, UK, MacKinven studied at Alberta College of Art and completed his MFA at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he emerged as a key figure among a generation of artists questioning institutional and cultural authority.
Known for his sharp conceptual edge and dark humour, MacKinven explored themes of identity, power, and the role of the artist within capitalist structures. His work often challenged conventional hierarchies, using visceral imagery, absurdist gestures, and provocative symbolism. Across various mediums, he constructed unsettling yet compelling narratives that exposed the contradictions of contemporary life and artistic production.
MacKinven was also an influential educator, holding academic positions at the Slade School of Fine Art, London, and the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. His commitment to experimental practice and critical dialogue left a lasting impression on students and peers alike. He passed away in January 2025, leaving behind a bold and uncompromising body of work.
Selected Exhibitions
- Alastair MacKinven and Behrang Karimi, Maureen Paley, London, 2024
- Solo Exhibition, Reena Spaulings, New York, 2018
- Abstract Capitalist Realism, ICA, London, 2015
- The Truth About Your Father, Maureen Paley, London, 2013
- Cut Off My Hand to Spite My Cock (performance), 2008
- Eastinternational, Norwich Gallery, 2005
- New Contemporaries, London, 2000
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