Ian Westacott

Ian Westacott was born and brought up in Myrtleford, in the foothills of the Australian Alps in Victoria. He studied at Victorian College of Arts, Australia.

Ian carries his etching plates out to meet his subject, keen to draw direct from life rather than work from photographs or preparatory sketches. This research is later developed in the studio where he slowly starts to weave the lines and marks into images that show his complete mastery of printing techniques.

Ian's relationship to the trees around him seems stronger than ever. What he creates in response to these remarkable trees should be seen as searching self portraits. In a way, he finds the tree the perfect metaphor for depicting the human condition and exploring the important relationships and emotional aspects of our lives. As children we climb and play in trees. We plant them unselfishly to commemorate loved ones and they wear their scars in plain view. We feel vulnerable and we miss them when they are not around.

Ian is a rare talent almost from a different era. He is undoubtedly a welcome addition to the Scottish Highlands, where he lives with his wife and fellow artist Sue Jane Taylor and their two sons.