Stephen Copland (b. Sydney, Australia), studied at the National Art School, Sydney (Diploma in Painting,1969-1972). He was awarded a Graduate Diploma in Education (University of Technology 1988) and a Masters of Fine Art (University of New South Wales 1995). He has worked as an artist and educator in Australia, the Middle East, Cuba, Europe and North America.
Copland‘s research as an artist is interdisciplinary with a strong basis in drawing. Research has explored the identity of a book and its cultural, social and political functions. Of Lebanese, Cuban and Scottish heritage, his art has focused on the themes of cultural identity, heritage, diaspora and human rights. Since 1986 he has had 29 solo exhibitions, including exhibitions in Cuba, New Zealand, Slovakia, Austria and Lebanon and been represented in Art Fairs in Italy, Turkey and Melbourne.
The Migration Series, a ten year project of international exhibitions earned him a Commendation Award from the Consulate General of Lebanon (1999)
He is the recipient of a number of awards and cultural grants including a Migration Heritage Grant, an International Programs Grant -the NSW Ministry for the Arts - and a Vermont Studio Center Artist Grant.
In 2006-2007 he was invited to conduct workshops on art and migration for European art educators in Graz, Austria, and at Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island, at the Symposium, New Media and the Global Diaspora.
In 2008 he was invited to present at NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo: Shaping the Future of International Education Washington, DC, USA and conduct a workshop at the 32nd InSEA World Congress, International Society for Education through Art, Osaka, Japan.
2008 The Painted Bookshelf Series
Yellowcake Bookshelf - oil on canvas 57cm x 16cm deep canvas size 17cm x 13cm.
Selected for exhibition at Patty Rueff Gallery Purdue
University November 2008
The Painted Word series begun in June 2008
Oil on canvas mounted on board. 23cm x 30cm
Endangered Species series
Acrylic on paper
Future exhibitions
2009 Transit
Virginia Commonwealth Gallery, Doha,Qatar.
2009 Raft
Macquarie University Gallery, Sydney Australia
2009 Modern Pilgrimge
Ganakkale University Turkey
Workshops
2009 International Congress for Art Education ITATE
Graz, Austria