ILLUMINATI NEON
After a chance encounter with the new wave musician Adam Ant at the age of just 11 led to him touring with the band, Mark became drawn to the punk subculture. His studies at art college in the 1980s were interspersed with frequent trips to London, where he became close friends with some of the movement’s pioneers and troubadours, including the Sex Pistols and the Stranglers. A career in videography beckoned, and Mark went on to work as a cameraman and a director of photography for bands like the Police and Frankie Goes to Hollywood before joining the BBC. During his successful film career, Mark has directed and produced documentaries on Billy Fury, the Beatles, John Lennon, David Bowie, Sid Vicious, the Sex Pistols and more. These legendary figures, along with his friend and fellow neon artist Chris Bracey, inspired Mark to create the Illuminati Neon brand. He adds: “It’s my homage to punk – not only the way we looked, but the way we thought and treated others. A little bit of Shepherd’s Bush punk ghetto is illuminating walls globally.” Born: St Ives, Cornwall Lives and works: Shepherd’s Bush, London Education: Psalter Lane Art College Exhibitions: Saatchi Gallery (2020), The Other Art Fair (2019)
Artwork gifted by Chris Bracey
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