Michael Kirkman

Having studied at Edinburgh College of Art, Michael Kirkman graduated from an MA course at the Royal College of Art, London in 2010.

Michael’s inspiration comes from a need to communicate moments in time that seem strange or extraordinary, to capture what goes unnoticed. Some important influences include Eduardo Paolozzi, Mimmo Paladino, Balthus, Edward Burra and Jonathan Gibbs.

Michael has produced commissioned prints for the National Theatre and Palace of Westminster (to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee) and has works in the collections of York Art Gallery and Palace of Westminster.

"Kirkman’s drawings are like memories inscribed, or vignettes of lived experience. Just as one can have detailed memories of particular objects from places we have visited, but no recollection of other aspects, so too Kirkman’s images convey a sense of our selective memory...  As he consumes experiences of travel and looking searchingly at the work of others he is developing his own singularly powerful draftsmanship; a constant readjustment to his surroundings.” Simon Martin, Director, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester.