Mark Mann draws on classical iconography and queer histories. Norfolk based artist, Mark Mann works with ceramics, textiles and bronze. His work is highly inspired with his fascination to nature.
Through his artistic practice he reveals histories that have long been overlooked and addresses concealed and ugly realities to translate them into beautifully crafted artworks. Mark’s works subtly show the discomfort of queer pasts by juxtaposing it with stunning, luxurious artworks; this allows each piece to become a monument in its own right. Much of Mark’s work explores themes that emerge from domestic interiors created by homosexual men in a time before the legalisation of homosexuality in England. Mark is continuously influenced by the atrocities that are held in queer history, but also by the strength of the queer interior. Mark’s artworks confront the viewer, challenging pre-conceived notions surrounding homosexuality, whilst allowing a joy to be found in their beautiful and captivating nature.
Mark completed his MA in textile design, for which he received the Vice Chancellors post graduate prize, following this, he was then selected as emerging artist at the East Anglia Art Fund’s Heritage exhibition in 2018. He has recently shown work at the museum of the Home in London and had a solo show in the Museum of Classical Archaeology in Cambridge. Mark has exhibited with Gray Area Gallery in Norwich, who now represented him and act as his agent and viewing space.
His works are in collections nationally and internationally, notably in important private collections not only in the UK but across the globe such as Canada and America.
Mark states: “I enjoy the idea that I use finely crafted facades to conceal ugly realities within my design work. As Alan Downs states in his book The Velvet Rage (2006): ‘As gay men we hide our truth behind the beauty we manufacture…we decorate the world, we decorate our lives and our bodies all in an effort to hide our real selves from the world…we are professionals in remodelling ugly truths into high fashion dreams.’'
