Reinhard Behrens RSW RGI

Date of RGI Election: 2015

Born in 1951 in Germany, studied at Hamburg College of Art, received German Academic Exchange Grant to study at Edinburgh College of Art in 1979 and settles in Scotland. Berherns taught at all four Scottish art colleges in part-time capacity before starting a teaching post as drawing tutor at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in 1995. He still teaches there as the sole provider of life drawing. In 1989 he was elected to President of the Society of Scottish Artists where he still helps to organise that society’s centenary celebrations.

He has won various awards (EIS, Benno Schotz, Scottish Arts Council Major Bursary, Noble Grossart Painting Prize, Creative Scotland Film Grant) help to develop his artistic concept of NABOLAND, now in it’s 40th year. Based on serendipitous finds in different countries this idea has materialised in drawings, paintings, prints and installations that evoke the world of Edwardian explorations, mixed with own travels. The works have been exhibited in both commercial and municipal galleries throughout Scotland and international venues. The last few years have been spent to produce a fictitious documentary, “NABOLAND NEWS”, that uses the very time consuming medium of hand-drawn animation.