Mr Paul Vivian
School of Arts, Media and Creative Technologies
Current positions
Director of Art & Design
Biography
Paul Vivian studied BA and MA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Art and Design and Norwich School of Art and Design. Initially a painter, Vivian's practice has since encompassed drawing, print and sculpture. Until 2023 his work had explored the role of object animism and the agency of things.
More recently he has undertaken a project to investigate the phenomenon of acoustic resonance in Neolithic standing stones across the UK. This research has formed the foundation for both film and audio projects. Vivian's interest in this topic was sparked by a chance encounter with unusual airborne sounds at the Swinside (Sunkenkirk) stone circle in the Lake District in January 2023. Following this discovery, he embarked on a project to record these acoustic phenomena at stone circle sites throughout the UK.
Areas of Research
Paul Vivian is a UK-based artist with a background in Fine Art. His research explores themes of object animism, trace, and resonance, with a current focus on Neolithic stone circle structures. Utilising Archaeoacoustics, Vivian conducts fieldwork across UK archaeological sites, creating unique recordings directly from ancient stones to capture their internal audio resonance—an innovative approach to Neolithic sites that has yet to be widely explored. These sonorous recordings form the foundation of Vivian’s recent film work, which delves into the character and presence of specific Neolithic sites. His findings and methodologies have been presented at recent academic events, including symposiums and conferences at Tate Liverpool (2023), Manchester Metropolitan University (2024), and the University for the Creative Arts (2024). Recent exhibitions of Vivian’s work include Ventriloquism – The Lost Voice Spoken by Others at The Whitaker Museum, Sensual Fields as part of the Bath Arts Festival, and the Manchester Contemporary Art Fair.
Interested in curriculum design and its relationship to research and knowledge exchange, pedagogic practice examining the role of risk and educational theory encompassing autonomous learning. Other research interests within this area include cross disciplinary practice and embedding within learning for students the role of social and industry engagement.
Lecturer and educational manager for over 25 years inclusive of experience within FE Colleges and University contexts managing large scale teams and key strategic initiatives across the sector. Prior experience with Plymouth College of Art and Design, Norwich City College, Lewisham College, Lowestoft College, Reading School of Art and Design, Thames Valley University, University for the Creative Arts and the University of Salford.
Qualifications
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PhD: Title -Acoustic Resonance in Ancient Standing Stones: Implications for Non-Human Agency in Neolithic Stone Circle Structures throughout the UK
2025 -
PGCE Post Compulsory Education
1997 - 1998 -
MA Fine Art
1995 - 1996 -
BA Fine Art
1990 - 1993