b. 1965 in Scotland
Roderick Buchanan has used photography, video, text and objects to examine how we read people’s identity and how individuals identify themselves in society. Many of his works have been collaborative, seeking the co-operation of amateur footballers or passers-by, with sport in general playing a key role as a research device and activity in his practice.
'Histrionics' is a recent exhibition of work by Buchanan that considers and reflects on certain apsects of Scottish identity in relation to the sectarian division in the country. He says, ‘With such inflammatory material, I felt that I could only talk about the subject as an expert on “me” – this way I’d be on relatively safe ground. Therefore the journey I made towards presenting this show has been about trying to be as honest as possible with myself about my experiences and attitudes’. In line with his interest in sport and identity the work includes a display of photographs of Celtic and Rangers football players, to information on historical figures such as Thomas Muir and John Knox.
Recent one-person exhibitions include in 2007 'La Crieé', 'Centre d’Art Contemporain, Rennes and Histrionics', Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow, Scotland. Buchanan has participated in numerous group exhibitions, amongst others: 'Models as Muse', Addison Gallery of American Art, Andover, USA, 2007; 'We All Laughed at Christopher Columbus', Platform Garanti Contemporary Art Center, Istanbul and Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam, 2006, In 2001 Buchanan participated in the 49th Venice Biennial.