"Of all the places I can do artists’ residencies, how come I often end up in a conflict zone of some sort. As Elizabeth Mahoney reviewing my 2001 exhibition in the UK’s Business Today said; “You get the strong sense that Duffin is attracted to places in conflict, irrevocably shaped by it”.
In this work we can see a night time panorama of the city of Jerusalem where I have spliced together views from both Palestinian East and Israeli West and placing the Old City in the centre. The Old City view is one I am familiar with from our studio windows on the border between the two sides.
Despite the constant references to Jerusalem, these works are not solely about the city per se. For me the welfare of Jerusalem today and throughout history has become an indication, a barometer to the wellbeing of our own humanity, not just as individuals but collectively, globally as a society.
In our 21st century world it seems that there is a reaction against, and a distrust of practically anyone or anything that doesn't conform to our own ego-centric ideals of what is the norm or what conflicts with what we consider our rights. The gargoyle images in this mezzotint seem to be content to ignore or consider such alternative perspectives or points of view.
Herein lies a personal challenge for me. Living in the liberal western world where freedom of speech is regularly taken for granted, I of course support the right for freedom of self expression. But although I may support the 'right' to do a particular thing, I hope I will always question whether, given particular circumstances, it is in fact the right thing to do (or say).
Freedom of speech is not absolute and responsibilities are attached to it.
This is the relevance of the lower image of the doves next to the burning book. The book itself represents for me the suppression of the equal rights that others have to freedom of speech, even in our own democratic, liberal society. Here the doves represent a willingness to put someone else’s wellbeing on a par with our own which will probably entail some sacrifice on our part.
Finally the angel, a dominant visual component of the composition serves as an expression of hope. Perhaps they are waiting in the background, ready to intervene as mediators if called upon. And if mediators had a creed, maybe it could be this; whenever we see a fork in the road, look for a third path, one that neither side will love but that both can live with. We live in times of both grace and danger."
Stuart Duffin RSAPrice: £840 framed, £750 unframed
Stuart Duffin RSA - Curriculum Vitae
1959 Born in the United Kingdom
1982 Graduated in fine art printmaking from Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen, Scotland.
1984-present Member of Staff at the Glasgow Print Studio (Studio Manager 1989 – 2002)
Currently working primarily in mezzotint, etching, digital printmaking and painting as the Etching Master at the Glasgow Print Studio.
Awards and elections
2016 Gillies Bequest Award (RSA) for research in Jerusalem.
2012 British Council award for research and presentation in Jerusalem.
2006 Gillies Bequest Award (RSA) for research in Belfast.
Elected Academician of the RSA (Royal Scottish Academy)
2004 Artist in residence, Belfast Print Workshop
Invited artist British International Miniature Prints exhibition
2000 Award winner at the SSA (Society of Scottish Artists) annual exhibition
1996 Elected an associate of the RSA (Royal Scottish Academy)
Exchange artists to the Jerusalem Print Workshop
1995 Elected Fellow of the RE (Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers)
Elected professional member of the SSA (Society of Scottish Artists)
1992 Exchange artist to the Senej Print Workshop Moscow, Russia
1991 Elected associate of the RE (Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers)
1989 Award winner, Scottish drawing exhibition, Paisley Museum
Award winner, 2nd Irish miniature print exhibition, Dublin
Award winner, 1st British miniature print exhibition, Bristol (touring UK)
1987 Scottish Arts Council award to travel and study in Italy
1986 Award winner, 1st Irish miniature print exhibition, Dublin
Exhibitions include
2026 Fidra Fine Art. Scottish Printmaking, Gullane, Scotland
2025 Cadaques 45th International Mini Prints, Barcelona.
2022 A Redder Sun - solo exhibition, Glasgow Print Studio.
2020 Peace Starts with a Smile - solo exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy
2019 If Angels Cast Shadows – solo exhibition, Compass Gallery, Glasgow and Jerusalem Print Workshop Gallery
2017 Reason or Revelation – solo exhibition, Leith School of Art
The Jerusalem Palimpsest – solo exhibition, Glasgow Print Studio.
2013 Reason or Revelation – solo exhibition, Glasgow Print Studio.
40:40 Commissioned artist for Glasgow Print Studio 40th Anniversary exhibition
2011 Invited featured artist, Royal Scottish academy annual exhibition Edinburgh
2010 Pop goes the Easel, Glasgow Print Studio
2008 National Print Open, Mall Galleries, London
2007 Tabula Rasa - Solo exhibition, Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
2006 New York - Glasgow Print Studio group exhibition
2005 London - Royal Academy summer exhibition.
2004 Glasgow - Out of darkness (international mezzotints) Glasgow Print Studio Gallery I
2003 Seattle - Two international mezzotint artists, Davidson Galleries
Edinburgh - Between paradise and the Abyss, solo exhibition, Leith School of Art
2002 London - National Print Open, Mall Galleries
2001 Glasgow - Sacred Science, solo exhibition Glasgow Print Studio
1999 India - Glasgow Print Studio in India, (Mumbai, Barroda Jaipuri, Madras, Hyderabad
1998 Jerusalem - Dreaming of Jerusalem, solo exhibition, Gallery of the Jerusalem Print Workshop
1997 Glasgow - Dreaming of Jerusalem, solo exhibition, Glasgow Print Studio Gallery III
1995 London - National Print Open, Mall Galleries
Glasgow - The Colour of ashes, solo exhibition, Glasgow Print Studio Gallery I
1993 Ukraine - International exhibition of graphic art, Kharkov Museum,
1991 Moscow - Contemporary Scottish Printmaking, USSR Union of Artists Hall,
New York and touring USA - International miniature prints (also in 89 and 85)
1990 Bradford and London - 11th International Print Biennale
1989 Glasgow - Nostalgia, solo exhibition, Glasgow Print Studio Gallery
Edinburgh - Laughter and Forgetting, solo exhibition, Scottish Gallery,
1988 Berlin - Ka De We exhibition of Scottish Printmaking
1986 Los Angeles - International Contemporary Art Fair,
1985 Spain - International miniature prints Cadaques,
Stuart Duffin regularly lectures on his own work and Scottish printmaking to a wide range of arts groups. He regularly teaches specialist printmaking classes at the Glasgow Print Studio and at colleges and universities world-wide. He has been a selector for many exhibitions and arts programs such as the National Print Open at the Mall in London, Glasgow City Council international exchange program and the Royal Scottish Academy. He has work in many public and private collections including the BBC, Glasgow University, The Jerusalem Foundation, Kharkov Museum and in the USA, Canada, Japan, India, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the Middle East.
Contact Stuart Duffin, Glasgow Print Studio, Trongate 103, Glasgow G1 5HD, Scotland, UK e: stuartduffin007@gmail.com www.stuartduffin.art
