Collected by celebrities such as Sir Elton John, Sting, Boy George, and Anthea Turner, Mark Sloper’s art draws inspiration from the cultural vibes of West London. Influenced by the punk movement of the 1970s and 80s, his fluorescent creations are as anarchic as their source of inspiration.
Mark Sloper grew up in an environment teeming with painters, many of whom had flocked to his birthplace in St Ives, Cornwall, to become artists. After a chance encounter with new wave musician Adam Ant at the age of just 11, he was drawn to the punk subculture and its expression of working-class angst.
His studies at art school were punctuated by frequent trips to London, where the punk scene was vibrant. There, he befriended some of the movement’s pioneers and representatives, including the Sex Pistols and the Stranglers, who have remained close friends to this day. It was only natural that Mark Sloper began his career as a cameraman and director of photography for bands such as The Police and Frankie Goes to Hollywood before joining the BBC.
Throughout his cinematic career, Mark Sloper has directed and produced documentaries on Billy Fury, the Beatles, John Lennon, David Bowie, Sid Vicious, the Sex Pistols, and many others. These legendary figures, along with his friend and fellow artist Chris Bracey, inspired Mark Sloper to create the Illuminati Neon brand.
Featuring punk-inspired imagery adorned with familiar lyrics and the language of the subculture, his works often incorporate artifacts and memories from that era, including flags and t-shirts. True to his punk rock roots, Mark combines montage, typography, graphic art, and neon to channel not only his own narrative but also the spirit and chaos of a generation.
Artwork instance :
