4 December 2009

Posthumous publication honours much-loved lecturer

Photo opportunity: 5.30pm on Friday, December 4th at the Visual Research Centre, DundeeContemporary Arts. Vi Cadenhead will meet with friends and former colleagues of her late husband at the launch of his book.

‘A Philosophy of Drawing’ a posthumously published book by a former lecturer at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design will be officially launched tonight.

The late William CM Cadenhead, known as Bill, had a great ability and passion for art, something that is reflected in the book.

Bill was a much loved member of staff at DJCAD who provided inspiration to staff and students alike. His family, including his wife Vi, friends and former colleagues will gather at the Visual Research Centre, Dundee Contemporary Arts on Friday, December 4th, to celebrate his life and the launch of the book.

In extracts from the book, Bill expressed his belief that 'an image, once written about or drawn, is never forgotten' and that 'a single line can express meaningful information if handled sensitively and expressively'.

Speaking about his hopes for the book, he said, 'The drawings here constitute a philosophy of art. The skills demonstrated in this book will be of great value to students, to artists and anyone interested in representing the natural world.'

Professor Stephen Partridge, Dean of Research at DJCAD, and Professor Ian Howard, former DJCAD Dean and current Principal of Edinburgh College of Art, will launch the book by talking about their memories of Bill and his work.

'I saw a proof of the publication last year, and was very pleased to do so,' said Professor Partridge. “Bill was a deeply admired colleague and a fine practitioner. I personally respected him greatly, and am delighted to see the publication finally in print.

Bill was born in Aberdeen in 1934, and was part of the first intake of students to work in the new Art College building on Perth Road, from which he graduated in 1955. He was awarded a postgraduate scholarship which enabled him to travel in Europe before returning to the College as a part-time lecturer in 1961, teaching drawing and painting on a full-time basis from 1971 until his retiral in 2003.

As an artist he was best known for painting snowy Angus landscapes, responding well to the transient effects of light and weather. His teaching centred on life drawing, and he wrote a perceptive essay on the importance of this for the Museum Services exhibition Life Study in 2003.

Dr McNeil is a visual researcher and arts educator with a background in fine art. During doctoral research into the learning experiences of fine art students at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, she was advised to consult Bill’s draft manuscript as a key piece of evidence of teaching with the life room.

This led to a published essay through contact with Bill’s widow, Vi, who provided unlimited access to her husband’s work, leading to her deciding to finish what he had begun.

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