About Mark Mann

Mark Mann is a ceramics, textile and bronze artist who predominantly draws on classical iconography and queer histories.

Following a degree in Fine Art and Psychology, Mark studied Art Education at Homerton college Cambridge. A passion for construed textiles stems from a family history of needlework and quilting. Mark first received recognition for his textile work through winning the international festival of quilts in 2014 for his quilt ‘Dear Mrs Morcom’ created with Bridget Mann.

            Following his MA in textile design, for which Mark received the Vice Chancellors post graduate prize, he was selected as emerging artist at the East Anglia Art Fund’s Heritage exhibition 2018. He has recently shown work at the Museum of the Home in London and next year will have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Classical Archaeology Cambridge.

            Much of his work explores themes that emerge from domestic interiors created by homosexual men in a time before the legalization of homosexuality. 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.’”

Mark’s work beautifully shows the  discomfort of queer pasts whilst juxtaposing it with comfortable, luxurious items. Mark is confronting the viewer and wanting to challenge pre-conceived notions surrounding homosexuality.