Ted McKenzie

Ted McKenzie is an emerging contemporary painter who works from life in his urban surroundings in south London. Partly influenced by historical painters known for working ‘en plein air’, such as the Impressionists, his atmospheric, compact paintings are characterised by dynamic brushwork and a dusky, organic palette.

Although painting can be seen as a solitary pursuit, Ted often paints in the company of friends. The ensuing discussions can inform the direction of his paintings, which have evolved from primarily abstract to figurative since his graduation in 2024. Important artistic influences for the artist include paintings by the ‘Group of Seven’, a pivotal collective of landscape painters working in Canada in the 1920s and ‘30s. Ted says; ‘working in an impressionistic style is not a goal for me per se - but rather, a by-product of trying to simplify a lot of complex information into a small painting.’

Ted received his BA in Fine Art from City and Guilds of London Art School in 2024. He has exhibited widely since 2022 including shows at BayArt, Turps Gallery, Terrace Gallery and South Parade, all in London, and in the USA at Teffia Primary in Kingston, New York. In 2024, he was shortlisted for the New Blood Art Emerging Art Prize, and was also included in Anna Moss’ FAD Magazine article ‘7 London Art Grads to see at the Shows’. He lives in south east London.

We are looking forward to showing new work by Ted in our January 2026 group exhibition Music From Out there. Request a catalogue.