Mark Powell
With the humble Bic Biro as his tool of choice, Brighton-based Powell creates intricate portraits on antique documents. His favoured subjects are the elderly, a natural fit for the paper he uses and his detailed style: postmarks and typography merge with pen strokes to create a captivating whole. In contrast, Powell's paintings (on cardboard and other found materials) exhibit street art and advertising influences while maintaining extraordinary detail.
Collections
Did you know?
Powell inadvertently enrolled in art school when he wandered into Huddersfield University after getting fired from a job and sparked up a conversation with the head of the art department.
Country of Birth
UK
Exhibitions
- HEY! Le Dessin, La Halle Saint Pierre, Paris, FR, 2022
- Anthropology, Hang-Up Gallery, London, UK, 2016
- Out of Line, Subliminal Projects, Los Angeles, US, 2016
- Drawing on History, Hang-Up Gallery, London, UK, 2013
Editorial
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08 Jan 2026
Why January is the Best Time to Buy
January is often seen as a pause in the art world. In reality, it is one of the most constructive...
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22 May 2023 3 min read
Artist Influences
Discover the diverse range of artistic influences that inspire today's most exciting artists at Hang-Up Gallery. From the renaissance masters...
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16 May 2023 4 min read
The Art of Nostalgia | A Dialogue with Mark Powell
We had the opportunity to chat with Mark Powell, a master at capturing realism and sentimentality using a simple Biro...
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11 May 2023 4 min read
Five Things You Should Know About | Mark Powell
Mark Powell is known for his intricate Biro drawings on found material.
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13 Oct 2021
In Conversation with Mark Powell
Working with Biro, Mark Powell produces intricate portraits on found documents such as letters and maps. Ahead of releasing new...
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28 Apr 2020
Meet the Artist | Mark Powell
This week we meet with Mark Powell in his Hackney studio to chat about his Bic biro obsession, antique document...
Exhibitions
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Hang-Up Curates Vol. XII
Andy Warhol, Banksy, Bridget Riley, Damien Hirst, KAWS, Kostas Papakostas, Mark Powell, Rusty, The Connor Brothers, Tracey Emin
28 May 2026 – 31 Jul 2026
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Hang-Up Curates Vol. X
Banksy, Bridget Riley, Damien Hirst, Grayson Perry, Harland Miller, Mark Powell, Mickalene Thomas, Nancy Fouts, Patrick Hughes, Rusty, Tracey Emin, Yayoi Kusama
17 Feb 2025 – 10 Apr 2025
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Hang-Up Curates Vol. IX
Andy Warhol, Banksy, Bridget Riley, David Shrigley, Harland Miller, Mark Powell, Nancy Fouts, Patrick Hughes, Rusty, Tracey Emin, Wole Lagunju
13 Oct 2024 – 13 Dec 2024
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