Michael Paraskos studied first at the University of Leeds, and then gained his doctorate, on the aesthetic theories of Herbert Read, at the University of Nottingham. He has taught at universities and colleges around the world, including at the University of Leeds, University of Hull, University of Nottingham and Cyprus College of Art, and in addition to working at City & Guilds of London Art School he also currently works at SOAS University of London and Imperial College London.
As a visiting lecturer he has spoken at institutions including the National College of Art and Design (Dublin), University of Nicosia, Goldsmiths’ College (London), University of Graz, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Eastern Illinois University, Minerva Academy of Art (Netherlands), National Gallery (London), Dulwich Picture Gallery (London) and the Whitechapel (London).
Michael lectures on various aspects of art history and culture, specialising at City & Guilds of London Art School on the architectural history of London, but he has broader interests in British art history and theory, and the historical and contemporary relationship between art and anarchism.
In this conversation with Head of Art Histories Tom Groves, Michael discusses how he delivers The History of British Architecture lectures on the Historic Carving and Conservation courses, and the benefits of experiencing architecture in person.
As well as being the co-founder and co-organiser of the annual conference Othello’s Island held in Nicosia, Cyprus, he is a member of the judging panel for the annual PMSA-Marsh Award for Public Sculpture and he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2010. Michael is also the inventor of a cocktail called the Ouzini, recommended the Cyprus Weekly newspaper as ‘worth a try’.