Born in Irvine in 1970, Michael graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee in 1992 and as a postgraduate from Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen in 1995.
He was President, Paisley Art Institute from 2011 - 2015, elected PAI in 2013 and RSW in 2014. He has been the PAI Archivist since 2015.
Continuing the tradition of Scotland’s representational painting, his work values a sense of place, history, and Scottish cultural identity.
Selected exhibitions:
2019 The Lillie Gallery, 'Michael Durning A Retrospective'
1998 - 2019 The Roger Billcliffe Gallery
2015 - Fidra Fine Art
2017 Hospitalfield Alumni, Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
2016 Kinblethmont Gallery,
2012-19 Smithy Gallery, Glasgow
2008-19 Frames Gallery, Perth
2013 'Paisley Art Institute, Past and Present’, Paisley M & AG
2010-13 &’18 McGill Duncan Gallery & House for an Art Lover
2009-16 Glasgow Art Club, and Escape Gallery, London
2002, 17 RSW Scottish Art Club & RSW Fabriano, Italy
1995 JD Kelly Gallery, RGI Award Exhibition
1994 RSA, “John Kinross Scholars 1984-94” .
1992 Glasgow Vennel Gallery
1991 &’92 Royal Scottish Academy, New Contemporaries,
Awards:
2018 W Gordon Smith & Mrs J Gordon Smith, RSW
2018 Walter Scott Purchase Prize, RSW
2016 City of Glasgow College Foundation Purchase Prize, RGI
2015 Hospitalfield Alumni Residency
2014 John Green Award, PAI
2012 David Cargill Award, RGI
2012 Malcolm Award, PAI
2010 l’Association Rennie Mackintosh Residency, France
2008 Fellowship, Glasgow Art Club
2007 Art de Caf Award
2007 Art Hire Award, PAI
2002 Hospitalfield Residency, RSW
2000 Hope Scott Trust
1994 RGI Exhibition Award
1998 Norway Residency
1992 John Kinross Scholarship, Florence, Royal Scottish Academy
Collections:
Royal Scottish Academy; Countess of Wemyss and March; Municipality of Karmoy, Norway; Municipality of Collioure, France; British Nuclear Fuels; Hospitalfield House; City of Glasgow College Foundation; Dundee Port Authority and North Ayrshire Council.
Private collections: Italy, Norway, Sweden, France, Australia, Singapore.
