Artist working in mixed media, printmaker and photographer, born in Edinburgh where he continued to live. After George Watson’s College he attended Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, 1965–70, doing a large number of jobs ranging from school teaching to labouring. Elected SSA in 1972 and took part in many mixed shows. Gained Scottish Arts Council Award in 1973, with Council Bursaries in 1976 and 1980, and was included in the Council’s show Scottish Art Now in 1982. Kirkwood said that his work was “about trying to communicate with people”. He was influenced by Dada and much of his subject matter was industrial and took a pessimistic view of militarism. Solo shows included New 57 Gallery, Edinburgh, in 1972 and 1976; Printmakers’ Workshop Gallery, Edinburgh, 1974; and Talbot Rice Art Centre, Edinburgh, 1981.
Text source: 'Artists in Britain Since 1945' by David Buckman (Art Dictionaries Ltd, part of Sansom & Company)