University of the Arts London staff research profiles homepage

BIO

Michael Eden is a visual artist, researcher and writer exploring relationships between monstrosity, subjectivity and landscape representation. Eden’s art practice is focused on semi abstract figurative and landscape painting, but also incorporates ceramic sculpture and constructions. Eden employs theories and representations of eeriness and flux as critiques of returning fascistic right-wing ideologies, identified in overt political discourse and implicit in much popular culture. Eden obtained his PhD from Middlesex University where his project ranged across various disciplines: contemporary art criticism and its relationship to histories of modernism, medieval literature, theories of landscape and space, notions of national myth making, and monster studies: bringing these together through the lens of art practice. Key exemplars informing his critique are the influential and progressive medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (circa 1370) and the problematic modernism of Wyndham Lewis (1882-1957). Eden contributes to academic journals writing about art practice, film, monstrosity, and approaches to arts learning; and he has engaged in polemics and rhetoric in less formal journalistic output. Eden is a fellow of The Digswell Arts Trust and a former editor of the arts and culture publication Trebuchet Magazine.

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON APPOINTMENTS

  • Academic Support Lecturer
    University of the Arts London, Academic Support, London, United Kingdom20 Nov 2018 - present

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Lecturer in Art History & Contextual Studies
    Oaklands College, Art & Design, St Albans, United Kingdom5 Sep 2011 - 19 Jul 2017
  • Guest Lecturer: Fine Art
    University of Bedfordshire, Fine Art, Luton, United Kingdom3 Jun 2010 - 3 Jun 2010
  • Guest Lecturer: Fine Art
    Wimbledon College of Art, Fine Art, London, United Kingdom9 Jun 2009 - 9 Jun 2009

NON-ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • SEND Support
    Cambridge Regional College, Support, Cambridge, United Kingdom11 Jul 2017 - 14 Nov 2018
  • Pastoral Support Officer
    Raynes Park High School, Pastoral Support, London, United Kingdom5 Sep 2010 - 19 Jul 2011
  • Learning Support Assistant
    Raynes Park High School, SEND Support, London, United Kingdom5 Sep 2005 - 4 Sep 2010

DEGREES

  • PhD (Fine Art and Philosophy)
    Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom10 Oct 2018 - 31 Jan 2023
  • MA (Hons) Fine Art
    University of the Arts London, London, United Kingdom10 Oct 2007 - 19 Aug 2009
  • BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting
    Wimbledon School of Art, London, United Kingdom6 Sep 1999 - 17 Jul 2002
  • Post Graduate Teaching Qualification (DTLLS Level 5)
    Oaklands College, St Albans, United Kingdom2011 - 2013

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Fellow (FHEA)
    University of the Arts London, London, United Kingdom17 Mar 2025 - present
    Advance HE: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

LANGUAGES

  • English
    Can read, write, speak, understand and peer review

STAFF/STUDENT

  • Staff