23 June 2004

Discovery lecture

Professor Richard Demarco, the artist, exhibitor and esteemed promoter of arts in Scotland will refer to his renowned painting of Dundee as he presents the University of Dundee 2004 Discovery lecture. The 1963 large-scale mural entitled ‘The Spirit of Culture Descending Upon Dundee’ was feared lost until only days ago when it was uncovered in the Dundee Rep theatre.

Hosted by the Graduates’ Council, the lecture, ‘New beginnings are in the offing’ offers Professor Demarco’s views on the future of arts in Scotland and in particular the increasing prominence of Dundee on the European map of culture. In his mural of 1963 Demarco depicted Dundee as an emerging city of culture. Over forty years later it appears his predictions were correct as Dundee has grown into a vibrant city of culture with a wealth of talent and is now well established on the international scene.

Born in Edinburgh in 1930, his worldwide reputation as an exhibition and theatre director, art patron and teacher began when he was Vice-chairman of Edinburgh Traverse Theatre and Art Gallery from 1963-1966. Awarded an OBE in 1984 he has continued to promote Dundee as a vibrant city of culture. Now the Director of the Demarco European Art Foundation he hopes that Dundee can be used to expand the stage of the Edinburgh International Festival.

The Discovery Lecture will be held on Saturday 26 June in the Bonar Hall and begins at 6.00pm. Entrance is free and it is open to the public.

For further information please contact Terry Ann Newman, Deputy Director, The Demarco European Art Foundation on 07748 961315.

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk