London based artist Mark Powell uses a simple biro to create incredibly detailed portraits of the elderly, which he draws on antique documents dating from 1763 onwards. His aim is to portray what can be produced with the most basic tool whilst creating a relationship between the canvas and image.
Powell collects numerous documents on his travels, from love letters sent during the First World War to Parisian newspapers. He then delicately draws on the faces of the elderly from his visual diary of sketchbooks and photographs.
Powell explains, “I want to make people realise what you can do with the simplest things, and leave a real sense of ambiguity”.
Hang-Up was formed in 2008 as an online gallery, launching as a street art website specialising in highly collectible and sought after limited edition prints. It is now a contemporary art gallery in Stoke Newington.
DRAWING ON HISTORY: A SOLO EXHIBITION BY MARK POWELL 27th July – 1st Sep 2013 Hang-Up Gallery 56 Stoke Newington High Street, LondonN16 7PB 020 3667 4552 hanguppictures.com Opening Hours: Wed – Sun 12–6pm or by appointment Admission: Free
London Overground: Kingsland Dalston (15 mins) and Dalston Junction (10 mins). Rail: Rectory Road (5 mins). Direct trains run every five to ten minutes from Liverpool Street. Bus: 276, 149, 76, 67, 243. The nearest bus stop is Stoke Newington Police Station (1 min).