David Mach RA discusses his fascination with Robert Burns with Burns biographer Robert Crawford. They will also discuss some of David’s recent work merging collage and poetry, as well as performing some of his lyrical works.

David Mach biography: After completing his MA at the Royal College, London, in 1982, Mach has lived and worked in London. He has worked extensively in many different countries and has work in many collections, both private and public. He is a Royal Academician, an Honorary Royal Scottish Academician and is Professor of Inspiration and Discovery at Dundee University. Mach has used every day, recognisable, mass-produced objects in multiples, notably newspapers, magazines, car tyres, matches, wire coat hangers and postcards throughout his career. He brings diverse items together from large-scale installations, to small, identifiable faces or figures with humour and social comment.

Robert Crawford’s eighth collection of poems, Testament, was published by Cape in 2014. His biography of Robert Burns, The Bard, is published by Vintage and won the Saltire Society’s Book of the Year award. He is Professor of Modern Scottish Literature at the University of St Andrews.

Burns Unbroke is a new contemporary multi-arts festival celebrating new interpretations of the life and work of Robert Burns at Summerhall between the 25 January – 10 March 2018. Throughout the festival there will be a series of artist talks giving insight into their practice and relationship to the life and work of Burns. Burns Unbroke is a partnership between Artruist – Independent Art Consultancy and Summerhall, it is supported by Creative Scotland, Burns Night – Scotland’s Winter Festivals and Arran Whisky.