Dickson Welcomes New Ulster University Chancellor, Dr Colin Davidson

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has extended both his congratulations, and a warm welcome, to the new Chancellor of Ulster University, Dr Colin Davidson.

Mr Dickson said: “Dr Colin Davidson is a distinguished and globally renowned artist, who also happens to be a graduate of Ulster University.

“He will make a fantastic Chancellor, demonstrating to the current student body just how far they can go when they take advantage of the support the university has to offer, and use it to realise their full potential.

“Colin has long been a cultural ambassador for Northern Ireland, yet the impact he will now have in inspiring and encouraging our young people, will amount to some of his best work yet.”

Dr Davidson graduated in 1991 from Ulster University with a first-class honours degree and has since become one of the world’s pre-eminent contemporary artists. He has structured his practice in themes, and since 2010 his focus has been on painting grand scale portraits, which have won widespread recognition and many international awards. As well as numerous commissions, Davidson’s portrait sitters have included Brad Pitt, Ed Sheeran, Liam Neeson, Sir Kenneth Branagh, Christy Moore, John Hume, Dame Mary Peters, Gary Lightbody, Glen Hansard, and Seamus Heaney.

Davidson’s exhibition entitled ‘Silent Testimony’, first shown in 2015, reveals the stories of eighteen people who are connected by their individual experiences of loss through the Troubles in Northern Ireland. This critically acclaimed body of work was on show at the Ulster Museum Belfast during 2015, before embarking on a tour which included the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris, Dublin Castle, and the United Nations NYC.

Chancellor Colin Davidson commented: “I have always had immense pride in my links with Ulster University and have enjoyed seeing its reach and influence grow globally…I look forward to playing my part as an ambassador for the students, staff and alumni of Ulster University.”

The role of Chancellor combines ceremonial and ambassadorial duties, including the conferring of degrees at graduation ceremonies. Chancellor Colin Davidson succeeds Dr James Nesbitt who has served as Chancellor of Ulster University since 2010.