Made in Broken Britain

Solo Exhibition, The Outsiders Gallery, 1st June - 7th July 2012 (Private View 6-9pm Thursday 31st May).

Britain’s most belligerent artist Ian Stevenson will desecrate the walls of The Outsiders Newcastle this Summer at ‘Made in Broken Britain’. In a field dominated by adherents to faddish styles – illustrators whose work looks the same as other illustrators – Ian’s distinctive approach, which no-one could hope or perhaps want to copy, demands more attention than a Jewish princess whose father walked out on the household during her early childhood.

Described by industry bible Creative Review as “Brilliant, visually striking, with a twisted sense of fun and what can only be described as a ridiculous sense of menace,” Ian’s surprisingly popular work has become a rallying point for slightly bitter people who struggle to take anything seriously. High-concept slogan artist Anthony Burrill says of Ian, “He draws familiar things, twisted and distorted beyond reasonable levels. His characters live in peril, the atmosphere is dark and unsettling. The colours are bright, but not in a cheery way. I don␣t know why Ian draws like this, nobody asked him to.” But with numerous exhibitions, animations and books to his name, not to mention zeitgeist-figure status in the advertising world, Ian’s work ultimately makes the viewer laugh using a combination of words and imagery.

The ‘Made in Broken Britain’ exhibition explores the merciless self-consciousness of modern life, featuring canvases, drawings and miniature installations in Stevenson’s signature style. With sculptures of aging superheroes that can no longer help us, toy Police cars with their wheels stolen, a smashed up riot van, public signage and celebrity photos with their tact and sheen buffed away, plus a sign saying ‘Please Wait Here Until You Are Useful, Thank You’, he’s only just started shouting at everyone and he’s got plenty more to say.

Ian Stevenson describes himself as “a professional man, secure in his sexuality and proud of his body.” For such a confrontational character he has secured a number of high-profile sympathetic patrons, including fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, film director Shane Meadows (‘This is England’, ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’), The Tate Modern, Microsoft, Nintendo and Perrier. Ian was asked to provide the window installation for the Lazarides ‘Santa’s Ghetto’ exhibition by Banksy in 2005 and participated in each consecutive event. ‘Made in Broken Britain’ is his first exhibition with The Outsiders.

Find out more here www.theoutsiders.net

PMC Magazine

I was interviewed for Patrick McMullan magazine and some of the answers are real beauties. Please read it online in the Who Am I? section.

Playful

A game projected before a few hundred spectators, where each illustrator would have a minute to do a drawing on an overhead projector and then the opponent would respond. The invited artists were Ian Stevenson, Mr Bingo, Gemma Correll and Rex Crowle. www.thisisplayful.com

75 Peters

75 artists were invited to create a portrait of Architect Sir Peter Cook for his 75th birthday. All proceeds go to charity. Curated by The Adam and Eve Projects.

The Patchwork Paper

I’ve gone and done an interview about the UK riots. Calm down rioters, Art will save the day.

AMV

I was asked to create an original piece for offices of AMV, the biggest advertising agency in the UK. I happily accepted this challenge and chose the words “Oooooh Fancy Seeing You Here.”

The Climate Reality Project

24 hour global event that will be broadcast live online the 14th and 15th of September for Al Gore’s nonprofit, the Climate Reality Project. Al Gore along with 23 other speakers will be discussing climate change and dispelling false claims made by its deniers. London Event: 15th September 2011, 7pm Local time. Live stream broadcast: www.climaterealityproject.org Twitter: @climatereality and tags #reality #London.

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