William Laing

Known primarily for his printmaking, William (Bill) Laing has worked in a wide range of media for more than thirty years. Laing was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1944. He received his art education at the Vancouver School of Art, Brighton Polytechnic, Brighton, England, and Royal College of Art, London, England. Since moving to Alberta in 1974, Laing has devoted himself to teaching and producing art. During the three years that he spent as an instructor in printmaking, photography and design at the Alberta College of Art and Design, he was responsible for establishing their serigraphy and etching department. In 1977, he became a faculty member at the University of Calgary, where he is currently engaged as Professor of Art and Head of the Printmaking Department. He has delivered lectures on his work worldwide and participated in various panels across Canada, as well as in England and Australia. Laing's dedication to his profession and ability to encourage and inspire his students gained him the University of Calgary's Student Union Teaching Excellence Award in 1992/93. Throughout his career, Laing has established a reputation of excellence for his personal and idiosyncratic work, with over forty solo exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions around the world. His artwork is found in many public collections. His numerous commissions include public murals and the design of a one-dollar stamp by Canada Post to commemorate Canada's National Parks. Laing's contribution to the development of art in this province was acknowledged by his appointment in 1995 to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.