Paul Fieldsend-Danks

Paul Fieldsend-Danks is an artist educator and the first Vice-Chancellor of Arts University Plymouth, having led the institution through its transition to university status.

He is an RSA Fellow, and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, with over 28 years of experience in UK higher education. He holds a professorship in Fine Arts Education and has held senior academic roles at several UK universities, with affiliations including Norwich University of the Arts and the Universitat de Barcelona. Paul is an active contributor to the creative sector, having joined the UK Council of Creative UK in 2023 and being elected Chair of GuildHE Creative (formerly UKADIA) in 2024. He holds non-executive roles on the Plymouth Growth Board and Destination Plymouth.

At the core of Paul's work is the philosophy of the artist-teacher. He sees artistic practice and teaching as fluid, interconnected processes. For him, the studio is a space of "not knowing," where curiosity and exploration are key. He believes that the act of making art is fundamentally a form of learning, and that teaching is a continuation of this creative journey. His approach is informed by a rich tradition of artistic thought, drawing inspiration from figures like Richard Hamilton.

Paul's artwork has been exhibited internationally, with works shown in the UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, and Spain, and held in both public and private collections. He shares his expertise through his role on the editorial board of the international journal Drawing: Research, Theory, Practice. He also regularly contributes to academic peer reviews for publications such as Making Futures and The Journal of Visual Arts Practice. In 2024, he co-founded the Young Person’s Art Competition at The Box, Plymouth.

Contact Information

e-mail: [email protected]

Professional practice & experience

Works

Tempest Coloured pencil, watercolour, silver leaf on postcard, 2008 
How long should I wave goodbye White Indian ink, photograph, charcoal dust, on Fabriano 5, 2010
In between Giclée print and charcoal dust on Somerset Photo, 2020
Sevenstones Silver leaf on postcard, 2024
The Last of England Giclée print on Somerset Photo, 2024