Ian Phillips McLaren (b. 1960) is a British contemporary artist, his varied practice combines contemporary and 19th century photographic processes, video, sculpture, performance and animation.

Ian’s latest project utilises projections, audio, performance and video to explore self-portraiture in the context of Jung’s four main archetypes Anima/Animus, Shadow, Persona and Self. By moving his images away from the gallery wall onto the surface of handmade effigies he’s creating multi-sensory video sculptures.

Gwen - "Did I Want To Be Here"

Ian’s portrait of Gwen (his mother-in-law) is an intimate study on the effects of dementia on a once strong, sharp woman, where softening memories have started to disintegrate, often hidden in layers within layers, where time is becoming increasingly meaningless and fragmented.

“Did I Want To Be Here?” were the last coherent words that Gwen uttered to Ian as he helped her from the car to his house. “Where am I?” asked Gwen. “You’re at Gail and Ian’s for lunch Gwen” he replied. “Did I want to be here” asked Gwen.