5 Questions With | Mark Vessey | News

5 Question with... Mark Vessey

Mark Vessey is having a fantastic year and there are no signs of him slowing down. In this week's blog we enjoy a long-overdue catch-up with the artist to hear more about his recent adventures and find out what may be next. Read on for 5 quick questions with one of our favourite photographers, Mark Vessey...

Mark Vessey with Norman Cook aka. Fat Boy Slim in front of his piece - XL Norman

HU: What does this summer hold for you? We hear you're involved in an exhibition in Portugal with Fat Boy Slim…Can you tell us a bit more about this?

M.V: I’m currently working on a few new pieces to add to my collections series and I have just returned from Lisbon. I was asked to be part of an exhibition curated by Norman Cook, called ‘Smile High Club’ at Underdogs Gallery. The exhibition is in honour of Harvey Ball the creator of the smile icon and shows the importance it has to Norman’s life and career. Norman asked me to photograph his own collection of smiles so I produced a series of photographs that made a replica of his collection.

Fatboy Slim's Smiley collection photographed by Mark Vessey

HU: It seems like it’s been a crazy year so far, exhibiting across the UK and being involved in some exciting projects. You also had the time to travel to and show work in America. Can you tell us about the experience?

M.V: I love America and having the opportunity to show my work there. I was there in March for the Affordable Art Fair and also went to see my work installed with Samuel Owens Gallery in Greenwich. It’s aways been a dream to get my work out to America and now I have my first mother pieces being shipped out which I’m so proud of. Hopefully it will be the start of more collaborations within America.

Norman XL - a selection of records from Norman Cook's collection which influenced his carreer

HU: You meet many people through your practice, in order to photograph their collections. Do you consider this an important part of the process?

M.V: I love to learn about people’s emotional connections that they have to their objects that they choose to collect and this is such an important part of my process.

DAZED AND CONFUSED

HU: Do you think the increased digitalisation of music and printed publications brings a new element to your work?

M.V: Within my artwork I focus on physical items so as much as we live in a more digitised world, I like to explore people's connections to the physical objects they chose to surround themselves with.

National Geographic

HU: What has been your proudest moment as an artist?

M.V: There is not one moment that sticks out, I’m just proud and grateful to be able to live off my artwork and do what I love to do. I’m proud of every experience that I have been through to bring to where I am today.

Mark in his studio

Thank you so much Mark for taking the time to chat with us, always a pleasure! As usual click here to view all available works by Mark Vessey and thank you for reading. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch through info@hanguppictures.com.

Till next time,

Hang-Up Team