Artist whose subjects stemmed “from concerns over the destruction of Scottish architecture, industry and sites of historic importance…. I find a stark and strange beauty in the monuments of our past”. Durning gained a fine art honours degree from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, 1988–92, his master’s in fine art and design, Gray’s School of Fine Art, Aberdeen, 1994–5, and won a number of awards, including a RSA John Kinross Scholarship, 1992; Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts Exhibition Award, 1994; and a Talented Individuals Award, North Ayrshire Council, 1997. As well as mixed shows and participation in 3 Painters at Roger Billcliffe Gallery, Glasgow, 1999, Durning’s solo exhibitions included J D Kelly, Glasgow, 1995, and Glasgow Vennel Museum, Irvine, 1997.