John McLean was born in Liverpool. He studied at the University of St Andrews (1957-62) and at the Courtauld Institute (1963-66). Between 1966 and 1978 he taught at British art colleges including Chelsea School of Art, Goldsmith’s College, Canterbury School of Art and Slade School of Art. In 1985 he was Artist-in-Residence at the University of Edinburgh. He lived in New York for two-years in the late 1980s, after which he returned to London. He was shortlisted for the Jerwood Prize in 1995. MacLean has exhibited his work in various locations including shows in London, Edinburgh and New York. His work is represented in major public collections including the Arts Council, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Tate, London.
