AN avant-garde exhibition celebrating the prestigious career of conceptual artist Bruce McLean opened in Ealing’s For Arts Sake gallery last week.

The collection, titled ‘Bruce McLean: Making An Exhibition Of Myself. In print.’ is the first time that a survey of his work spanning four decades will be shown in one gallery.

Gallery owner Brian Davis said: “We are very proud to be bringing them, along with a range of other print works, to Ealing.

“With  many leading artists exhibit mainly in the West End or east of London this is a real opportunity for west Londoners to see the work of a hugely influential artist right on their doorstep.”

McLean is a seminal figure in contemporary British art whose work has used various platforms to express himself and his sense of humour is prominent throughout.

Mr Davis’s favourite pieces are the vast mono-prints, the largest of which is 1.8m high by 1.5m wide.  

He added: “He is a ray of sunshine, like his work. Going up into the gallery is like going outside.”

McLean was the youngest artist to be awarded an exhibition at the Tate Gallery at age 27, but decided instead on a one-day retrospective.

On April 28 the artist will return to the venue to interview himself on the subject of his printmaking career and will discuss his portfolio in front of an audience. 

An impressive 14 pieces were sold on the opening night, but the gallery still encourages people to come and explore the colourful pieces on display.

For those familiar with McLean’s work it will give them a chance to see something they haven’t before, and is a wonderful opportunity to engage with the works of a forerunner of contemporary art.

McLean has been exhibited internationally and is currently being exhibited in the Tate Britain’s exhibition on conceptual art in Britain from 1964-1979.

The event will run until May 15.

Image courtesy of For Arts Sake, with thanks