Ian McKenzie Smith

Born: August 3, 1935;

Died: September 24, 2025

Dr Ian McKenzie Smith, who has died aged 90, was a hugely influential figure in the arts in Scotland but especially in Aberdeen . He was an inspiring director of the Aberdeen Art Gallery from 1968 to 1989 and later acted as City Arts Officer and director of the arts and recreation department until 1996.

To all these appointments he brought a fresh vision and enthusiasm which, in turn, attracted much attention to the arts scene in Aberdeen. He curated many landmark exhibitions and, notably, held a retrospective exhibition devoted to Bill Gibb, the Aberdeen-born fashion designer shortly after his death in 1988.

He remained devoted to the traditions of Aberdeen – its arts, music, community and history – and confessed h

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