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Alastair Duncan was born in Scotland in 1958. He lived and was educated in Northern Ireland from 1964 - 1980. He trained at Cleveland College of Art from 1976 - 1980.
In 1982, while artist in residence at the Dovecot Arts Centre in Stockton-on-Tees, he won the John Holden Memorial Craft Commission for the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Since then he has been selected as Artist in Residence by a number of museums and schools. Moving to Wales in 1983, he established a studio in Swansea`s Maritime Quarter and went on to develop his work as a professional artist/craftsman in both the commission/public art field and in education. He has completed numerous commissioned tapestries for the corporate, private and public sectors and has exhibited widely both in Britain and Internationally. In 1995 he helped jury the 1st triennial British Tapestry Exhibition and Conference at the Harley Gallery, Notts. In recent years his work in education has concentrated on developing workshops in design through tapestry weaving in primary schools. These have been highly successful and a number of communal wall hangings have been produced in the schools. As a result of this work, he has lectured on the Primary Education degree courses at both Swansea Institute of Higher Education and the University of Wales, Swansea.

His current work in tapestry combines weave with steel. He also works in graphic design, digital prints and multimedia and his experience in this field has now extended to a variety of school projects (see Multimedia). Alastair has also now started making giclee prints.

MEMBERSHIP

British Tapestry Group, Itnet - International Tapestry Network, European Tapestry Forum, New Fibre Art, member of Axis database, member of the Professional Reference Group - Swansea LEA Arts in Education Policy development England and Wales Representative for the European Tapestry Forum.

GRANTS / AWARDS

2000 Theo Moorman Charitable Trust Award.
1995 Craft Special Project Award, Arts Council of Wales
1993 Special Project Grant, Arts Council of Wales
1982 John Holden Memorial Craft Commission, ManchesterTalks/Lectures

LECTURES/TALKS

2008 Invited speaker & Discussion Group leader, British Tapestry Group exhibition, "Tapestry08".
2002 Visiting Lecturer, Swansea Institute of Higher Education.
2000 Visiting Lecturer, West Dean College, Edward James Foundation.
Illustrated talk, Birmingham Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers.
Mentor for students on Cardiff Arts in education Agency Artists in schools course.
1989 - Numerous Inset sessions with Primary School teachers,
1999 Invited speaker, Scottish Arts Council Crafts Dept. seminar and consultation day, Dundee Contemporary
Arts.
1998-99 Visiting lecturer, University of Wales, Swansea.
1989 Illustrated talk, Northern Ireland guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers.
1988 Supply art teacher, Ffynone House School, Swansea.
1987 Supply lecturer, Swansea College.

COMMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS

Caldicot Library (ACW).
Swansea City Council Housing Dept. (x 2)
Development Capital Corporation, Dublin.
1st Trust Bank Headquarters, Belfast.
Bank of Ireland, Sligo, Eire. Charles Hurst, Belfast.
Allied Irish Banks, Dame St., Dublin. (x 2).
N. Ireland Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Llanelli Borough Council, Dyfed, Wales.
Glen Bank Estates, Belfast.
P.J. Carroll & Co. Ltd., Dundalk, Eire (x 2).
St Teilo’s Church, Pontarddulais, Wales (x 2).
Dyfed Education Authority.
West Glamorgan Education Authority (x 3).
D. Wibberly, Photographer, Swansea (x 3).

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2008 "Tapestry08" - British Tapestry Group exhibition, Dean Clough Gallery and Bankfield Museum, Halifax.
2006 "Tapestry Today" - British Tapestry Group exhibition, Machpelah Mill, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
2002 “On The Line” – New Fibre Art Exhibition, Morley Gallery, London.
“Atmosphere” - NFA/California Fibers juried exhibition, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Taunton, Somerset.
2001 “Atmosphere” - NFA/California Fibers juried exhibition, Newport Museum and Art Gallery, Wales.
“Fibre Visions” - Fibre . Art . Wales launch exhibition, Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran.
The Contemporary Craftsman Gallery, Monmouth, Wales.
2000 “Atmosphere” - NFA/California Fibers juried exhibition, California.
Visualize, Cardiff.
1999 Makers Guild in Wales, Bleddfa.
Visualize, Cardiff.
1998 British Tapestry (Trienniale) Exhibition, Harley Gallery, Welbeck Estate, Notts.
“Open House” - Brighton Arts Festival.
“New Fibre Art” show, Barcelona, Spain & Lodz, Poland.
“It’s All In The Genes”, The Ulster New Zealand Trust, Balance House, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland.
1997 ITNET 3 - Small Format exhibition, the Internet - http://www.alaska.net/~itnet/
“Open House” - Brighton Arts Festival.
1996 New Fibre Art - the Pearoom Exhibition.
“Open House” - Brighton Arts Festival.
1995/96 European Tapestry, Martel & Aubusson, France, Belfast, N. Ireland and Manchester, England.
1995 British Tapestry (Trienniale) Exhibition, Harley Gallery, Welbeck Estate, Notts.
New Fibre Art Exhibition, Storey Institute, Lancaster.
1994 New Fibre Art Exhibition, Norton Priory, Cheshire.
1992 “Fibre Meets Fiber” - touring exhibition, England and U.S.A.
1990 International Textile Arts Festival - New Fibre Art Exhibition, Saltsmill, Bradford.
1989 Irish Crafts Council Summer Show, HQ Gallery, Dublin.
1988 “British Art Textiles”, Galeria Biura Wystaw, Artystycznych, Radom, Poland - touring.

EXHIBITIONS - ONE MAN

1996 The Old Hall Gallery, Cowbridge, South Wales.
1995 The Library Gallery, Haverfordwest, South Wales.
1994 Swansea Arts Workshop Gallery, Swansea.
1993 The Solomon Gallery, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Dublin.
Model Arts Centre, Sligo, Eire.
The Peacock Gallery, Craigavon, N. Ireland.
1990 The Ulster Museum, Belfast.
1989 Swansea Maritime and Industrial Museum.
1988 Neville Gallery, Llanelli, Dyfed.
1984 Henry Thomas galery, Carmarthenshire College of Technology and Art.
1983 Orchard Gallery, Derry, N. Ireland.
1982 Galway Arts Festival, Galway, Eire.
1981 Octagon Gallery, Belfast.ARTISTS RESIDENCIES
1989-2002 Innumerable workshops and residencies in well over 100 schools across South Wales.
1999 Ysgol Pontardawe, Pontardawe, Swansea.
1997/98 Caldicot Library, Monmouthshire (ACW Residency).
1991 Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne.
1990 West Glamorgan Craft Fellowship, Olchfa Comprehensive School, Swansea.
Ulster Museum, Belfast.
1989 Swansea Maritime and Industrial Museum,
1988 Llanelli Borough Library, Gwyl Llanelli Festival, Dyfed.
1985 West Glamorgan Craft Fellowship, St. Joseph`s R.C. Comp. School, Pt. Talbot.
1984 Dyfed Craft Residency, Bigyn County Primary School, Llanelli.
1983/84 West Glamorgan Craft Fellowship, Pontarddulais Comp. School.

MULTIMEDIA

2009 - All future digital work will be done through HyperAction.
2008 "Launch the Lifeboat - Wrecks and Rescues in the Bristol Channel", five South Wales Primary Schools and RNLI lifeboat stations - Interactive CD ROM and DVD (HyperAction project).
"Fairytales" - DVD for 4 Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Infant Schools (HyperAction project).
UPOSS DVD - Trailer DVD for Unlocking the Potential of Special Schools in Swansea.
2007 "No Ordinary Cupboard - Beyond Wordplay, Writers and Illustrators, 2007" - CD ROM and web content for Swansea Arts in Education.
"Lets Explore...Gelligaer", Caerphilly - Interactive CD ROM and tapestry weaving local history project.
Foundation LeAP Transition Project, Clydach Infants and Junior Schools and Brynhyfryd Infants and Junior Schools, Swansea - Interactive CD ROM.
LeAP Transition Project, Pentrehafod Comprehensive School & feeder primary schools, Swansea.
LeAP Transition Project, Birchgrove Comprehensive School & feeder primary schools, Swansea.
LeAP Transition Project, Penyrheol Comprehensive School & feeder primary schools, Swansea.
2006 "Sea Music", a Vale Plus interactive CD ROM (HyperAction Project).
Primary Democracy Project, Swansea - Interactive CD ROM (slideshows).
My Square Mile, Swansea and Carmarthenshire - Interactive CD ROM (slideshows).
LeAP Transition Project, Pontarddulais Comprehensive School and feeder primary schools - Interactive CD ROM.
"Through the Wormhole" - Interactive CD ROM and digital prints (HyperAction Project).
2005 Cwmcelyn Project. Ystruth Primary, Coed Cae Junior and Garnfach Infant Schools, Blaina Gwent - Interactive CD ROM and large format digital print.
LeAP Transition Project, Pontarddulais Comprehensive School and feeder primary schools - Interactive CD ROM.
"Through the Wormhole" - Interactive CD ROM and digital prints (HyperAction Project).
2004 BBC Digital Story - "Cycles and Bicycles".
Ysgol Tirdaenaw, Swansea - large format digital print.
YGG Trelyn, Caerphilly - Interactive CD ROM, local history (Llancaiach fawr).
Casllwchwr Primary School - Interactive CD ROM, "Swansea 60 Years On" (WWII CD).
St. Joseph's Primary, Pennarth - Interactive CD ROM and digital print (HyperAction project).
2003 Large format digital print and interactive, multimedia CD Rom - Gwaunfarren digital print project (see Digital Prints)
Residencies in Action, a Swansea LEA commissioned interactive, multimedia CD Rom presenting 5 schools residencies spanning visual art, environmental art, literacy, dance and music.
Coedffranc Infants School - DVD about making of tapestry (tapestry weaving project).
Upper Rhymney Primary School - Interactive CD ROM about tapestry design and weave project.
St. Margaret's Primary, Aberdare - Interactive CD ROM and large format digital print (Welsh Heritage award winner).
ArtsEd Website - website commissioned by the Arts in Education Policy Group, Swansea LEA.
Transition project, Twynyrodyn Primary School and Cyfarthfa High School - Large format digital print (see Digital Prints).
Website design - Jean Duncan, artist.
Interactive, multimedia CD Rom - Brynhyfryd Design and Weave Project, Britton Ferry.
2002 The Bont – A Multimedia Memory Map. HyperActioin multimedia CD Rom project with Pontarddulais Primary
School Year 5 pupils.
Large Format Digital Print (4’ x 8’) made with Year 5 pupils, Llangennech Primary School, Llanelli.
Interactive, multimedia CD Rom - Hirwaun Primary School Design and Weave Project.
2001 “Scary Time” - a HyperActioin multimedia CD Rom project with Hywel Dda Junior School, Cardiff. Yr. 4. Poster/catalogue design for “Atmosphere”, an exhibition by New Fibre Art and California Fibers.
Workshop brochure for FIBRE . ART . WALES
Group book/catalogue for FIBRE . ART . WALES
Website design - Fibre.Art.Wales
2000 “The Haunted House” - a HyperAction multimedia CD Rom project, Mayals Primary School, Swansea. Yr. 4
1999 Introduction to Dazzle, years 1 - 6, Mayals Primary School, Swansea - www.tapanded.demon.co.uk/mayals.html

MEDIA / REVIEWS

2003/04 - BBC Wales Teacher traing video for schools.
1999 - December Issue The Journal for the Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.
1997 - Autumn issue Tapestry and Education, article in International Tapestry Journal.
1994 Understanding Art, Curriculum Council for Wales Publication.
- Dec. issue “Woven Tapestries “ an exhibition by Alastair Duncan - Journal for weavers, spinners and dyers.
1993 "Opening Nights", RTE Television, Eire
- 7th Feb. The Sunday Tribune - Arts Review (Ireland)
Spring Issue International Tapestry Network (ITNET) Journal.
- Mar/April Fibrearts Magazine, U.S.A.
1991 Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Annual Repor 1990 - Cover Illustration and article, "New Look to HistoricViews"
- January Irish Crafts Council Magazine "Alastair Duncan - Artist in Residence - Ulster Museum"
- February Capital and Counties Art and Work Awards Brochure - illustration of entrance foyer at Brookmount Buildings, Belfast, N. Ireland
1990 - November BBC1 Northern Ireland "Scene Around Six"
1987 - March Art News (Welsh Arts Council) "Fame in Another Country"
- March Artists Newsletter, "Art in Public"
1985 - March Crefft (Welsh Arts Council) "Dyfed Craft Residencies"
1984 - June Crefft (Welsh Arts Council) "West Glamorgan Craft Residencies"
1983 - July Artists Newsletter, "John Holden Commission"
1981 Ulster Television, News at Six.

List of schools which have completed workshops 1990 - 2002

2008
Grange Primary School, Swansea, Launch the Lifeboat project - ICT (HyperAction).
St. Therese's RC Primary School, Neath Port Talbot, Launch the Lifeboat project - ICT (HyperAction).
Newton Primary School, Bridgend, Launch the Lifeboat project - ICT (HyperAction).
Wick and Marcross Church in Wales Primary School, Vale of Glamorgan, Launch the Lifeboat project - ICT (HyperAction).
Barry Island Primary School, Vale of Glamorgan, Launch the Lifeboat project - ICT (HyperAction).
Bishopston Primary School, Swansea, Fairytales Project - ICT (HyperAction).
Birchgrove Primary School, Swansea, Fairytales Project - ICT (HyperAction).
Glyncollen Primary School, Swansea, Fairytales Project - ICT (HyperAction).
Melin Infant School, Neath Port Talbot, Fairytales Project - ICT (HyperAction).

2007
Gelligaer Primary School, Caerphilly - communal design and weave and ICT.
Clydach Infants and Junior Schools and Brynhyfryd Infants and Junior Schools, Swansea - ICT.
Pentrehafod Comprehensive School & feeder primary schools, Swansea - ICT.
Birchgrove Comprehensive School & feeder primary schools, Swansea - ICT.
Penyrheol Comprehensive School & feeder primary schools, Swansea - ICT.

2006
Pontarddulais Comprehensive School & feeder primary schools, Swansea - ICT.
Thornhill Primary School, Cwmbran - ICT (HyperAction).

2005
Cwmcelyn Project. Ystruth Primary, Coed Cae Junior and Garnfach Infant Schools, Blaina Gwent. ICT.
Pontarddulais Comprehensive School & 5 feeder Primary Schools - ICT.
Thornhill Primary School, Cwmbran - ICT (HyperAction).

2004
Casllwchwr Primary School, Swansea - ICT.
Penclawdd Primary School, Swansea - "The Big Draw".
YGG Trelyn, Caerphilly - ICT.
YGG Tirdeunaw, Swansea - ICT.
St. Joseph's Primary, Penarth - ICT (HyperAction).

2003
Penyrheol Primary School, Swansea - communal design and weave.
Gwaunfarren Primary School, Merthyr Tydfil - ICT
Ffynnon-taf Primary School, Taffs Well - composite design and weave
YGG Pencae, Cardiff - Composite design and weave
Twynyrodyn Primary/Cyfrathfa High School - ICT
Brynhyfryd Primary School, Britton Ferry - communal design and weave and ICT (whole school)

2002
Hirwaun Primary School Merthyr Tydfil 2002 communal & ICT (whole school)
Y Graig Primary School RCT 2002 composite (whole school)
Greenway Primary School Cardiff 2002 communal
Pontarddulais Primary School Swansea 2002 ICT
Blaenclydach Infants School RCT 2002 small scale
Llangennech Primary School Llanelli 2002 ICT
Llanmartin Primary School Newport 2002 communal (whole school)
Cwrt Rawlin Primary School Caerphilly 2002 communal

2001
Millbank Primary School Cardiff 2001 small scale
St. Bernadette’s Primary School Cardiff 2001 composite
Cwmrhydyceirw Primary School Swansea 2001 composite (Ceirwbach Club)
Hendrefoilan Primary School Swansea 2001 composite
Malpas Church Junior School Newport 2001 composite (via Newport Museum and Art Gallery)
High Cross Primary School Newport 2001 composite (via Newport Museum and Art Gallery)
Malpas Church Infants School Newport 2001 composite (via Newport Museum and Art Gallery)
Llanmartin Junior School Newport 2001 composite (via Newport Museum and Art Gallery)
Milton Junior School Newport 2001 composite (via Newport Museum and Art Gallery)
Rogerstone Primary School Newport 2001 composite (via Newport Museum and Art Gallery)
Lliswerry primary School Newport 2001 small scale
St. David’s RC Primary School Newport 2001 composite
Mynachlog Nedd Junior School Neath 2001 communal (whole school)
Pentrepoeth Primary School Newport 2001 communal (whole school)
Penygraig Infants School RCT 2001 small scale
Hywel Dda Junior School Cardiff 2001 ICT
Tonypandy Primary School RCT 2001 small scale (whole school)
Mayals Primary School Swansea 2001 ICT
Mynachlog Nedd Infants School Neath 2001 progressive (whole school)

2000
Pentrepoeth Primary School Newport 2000 small scale
Brynhyfryd Infants School Swansea 2000 communal
Hafod Primary School RCT 2000 small scale
Alderman Davies C. in W. Primary School Neath 2000 communal
Alltwen Primary school Swansea 2000 communal (with community).
St. Mellons C. in W. Primary School Cardiff 2000 communal (whole school)
Brynhyfryd Infants School Swansea 2000 communal
Birchgrove Jun. and Inf. School Cardiff 2000 communal & composite (whole school)
Mayals Primary School Swansea 2000 ICT (whole school)

1999
Melin Infants School Neath ‘99/00 communal and small scale.
Neath Abbey Infants Neath ‘99/00 progressive
Birchgrove Infants School Swansea ‘99 communal
Ysgol y Wern Ystalyfera ‘99 small scale
Y.G.G.D.Trebannos Pontardawe ‘99 communal
Cila Primary School Swansea ‘99 small scale
Rumney Junior School Cardiff ‘99 communal
Gellideg Junior School Merthyr Tydfil ‘99 communal (whole school)
Pen y fro Primary School Swansea ‘99 communal (whole school)
Ysgol Pontardawe Swansea ‘99 communal
Ysgol y Glyn Brynaman ‘99 communal (whole school)
Pen y fai Church in Wales Primary School Bridgend ‘99 communal

1998
Clydach Junior School Swansea ‘98 communal
Hywel Dda Infant School Cardiff ‘98 communal
Hywel Dda Junior School Cardiff ‘98 communal
Rogiet Junior and Infants School Rogiet, ‘98 card frame
St. Mary’s Junior and Special Needs School Caldicot, ‘98 small scale
West End Infants School Caldicot, ‘98 small scale
Green Lane Junior School Caldicot, ‘98 small scale
Sandy lane Infants School Caldicot, ‘98 small scale
Durand Primary School Caldicot, ‘98 small scale
Undy Primary School Undy, ‘98 card frame
Magor Primary School Magor, ‘98 card frame
Caldicot Comprehensive School Caldicot, ‘98 small scale

1997
Caerleon Endowed Junior School Caerleon ‘97 communal (whole school)
Glyncollen Primary School, Swansea, ‘97 communal
Abertysswg Primary school, Rhymney, ‘97 communal
Cila Primary School Swansea ‘93 small scale & ‘97 communal
Pontardawe Welsh Primary School, Swansea, ‘97 small scale
Pontybrenin Primary School, Gorseinon, ‘97 communal
Waunceirch Primary School, Neath, ‘97 communal
Plasmarl Primary School, Swansea, ‘97 communal
Gwaunmeisgyn Junior School Pontypridd, ‘97 communal
Caerleon Endowed Junior School Newport, ‘97 communal (whole school)
West End Infants School Caldicot, ‘97 small scale
Green Lane Junior School Caldicot, ‘97 small scale

1996
Y.G.G. Pencae, Cardiff, ‘96 small scale
Trelales Primary School Bridgend ‘96 communal
Treorchy Primary School Treorchy ‘96 communal
Edwardsville Junior School, Treharris, ‘96 communal
Trelewis Primary School, Treharris, ‘96 communal
Y.G.G. Rhyd-y-grug, Treharris, ‘96 small scale
Gwaunfarren Primary School, Merthyr Tydfil, ‘96 communal
Y.G.G. Santes Tydfil, Merthyr Tydfil, ‘96 communal
Brynhyfryd Infants School Swansea `95 x 2 small scale & ‘96 communal
Penclawdd Primary School, Swansea, ‘96 observation and painting
Clydach Infants School Swansea ‘96 communal
Llancaeach Junior School, Treharris, ‘96 communal
Cefn Glas Infants School Bridgend ‘96 small scale
Y.G.G. Dewi Sant, Llanelli, ‘96 communal
Pentrepoeth Primary School Newport ‘96 one day workshop

1995
Blaengwawr Primary School Aberdare ’95 communal
Eastern Primary School, Port Talbot, ‘95 communal
Cilffriw Primary School, Neath, ‘94 & ‘95 small scale & ‘95 communal (inc. observational drawing, painting and collage)
Blaenbaglan Primary School. Port Talbot. ‘95 communal
Y.G.G. Rhos Afan , Port Talbot, ‘95 communal
Pwll Primary School, Llanelli, ‘95 communal
Rhiwfawr Primary School, Swansea, ‘95 communal

1994
Manselton Primary School, Swansea, ‘94 small scale
Ynysmaerdy Primary School, Neath, ‘92 & ‘94 small scale & communal
Central Junior School, Port Talbot, ‘94 communal
Mayals Primary School, Swansea , ‘94 communal
St Therese’s RC Primary School, Port Talbot, ‘94 communal
Halfway Primary School, Llanelli, ‘94 communal and small scale

1993
Crynallt Junior School, Neath, ‘93 small scale
Cila Primary School Swansea ‘93 small scale & ‘97 communal

1992
St. Mary’s R.C.Primary School, Llanelli, ‘92 small scale & ‘93 communal
Llangiwg Primary School, Swansea, ‘92 small scale
Croeserw Primary School, Port Talbot, ‘92 communal
Ynysmaerdy Primary School, Neath, ‘92 & ‘94 small scale & communal
Parkland Primary School, Swansea, ‘92 small scale
Pontarddulais Primary School, Swansea, ‘92 communal
St Joseph’s RC Junior School, PortTalbot, ‘92 communal
Abergwynfi Junior School, Port Talbot, ‘92 communal
Y.G.G. Bryniago, Swansea, ‘92 communal
St. Mary’s R.C.Primary School, Llanelli, ‘92 small scale & ‘93 communal

1991
Hendrefoilan Primary School, Swansea, ‘91 small scale
Gorseinon Junior School, Swansea, ‘91 small scale
Rhos Primary School, Swansea, ‘91 small scale
Pontlliw Primary School, Swansea, ‘91 small scale
Penyrheol Primary School, Swansea, ‘91 small scale
Waunarlwydd Primary School, Swansea, ‘91 small scale
Glais Primary School, Swansea, ‘91 small scale
Craig Cefn Parc Primary School, Swansea, ‘91 small scale

1990
Bishopston Primary School, Swansea, ‘90 small scale

1989
Felindre Primary School, Swansea, ‘89 small scale