Mark D British artist and punk musician Country: Great Britain

Biography of Mark D

Mark D is a British artist and punk musician who plays the guitar and writes songs. He is closely associated with a group of artists representing the movement known as Stuckism. Mark has played in various bands, including 'Fat Tulips'. In February 2008, Randall organized an exhibition of his paintings that satirized the works of Stella Vine, specifically her depiction of Princess Diana and Kate Moss. The artist replaced Princess Diana with Victoria Beckham, who was depicted eating snails with Moss.

Mark Randall, also known as Mark D, was born and raised in Peterborough. He currently resides in Nottingham. Mark has played in various bands, including 'Fat Tulips', 'Confetti', 'Pleasure Heads', and 'Oscar', and has contributed to the recording of several albums. He has published and edited fanzines, including 'Two Pint Take Home'. Mark D is a co-owner of the record label 'Heaven Records'. The band 'Fat Tulips' was formed in 1987. Its members were known for their guitar-based 'buzzing' method, fierce tempos, 'ancient' pop melodies, and lyrics that don't sound as sweet as they initially appear. The band disbanded in the mid-1990s, and Mark started buying and selling art and antiques, particularly works from the 1960s and 1970s, including those by John Piper, Stig Lindberg, Lucienne Day, and John Clappison, together with his wife Tully.

The interest in Billy Childish's music, who advocated amateurism and free expression, led Randall to become familiar with the paintings of this English artist and singer. Mark then became fascinated with the works of other Stuckists. He contacted two artists, Stella Vine and Gina Bold, who, however, refused to sell him their works after learning about his admiration for Childish. Stella even sent Mark an email saying, "Get lost...". Disappointed that he would never own works he loved, Mark recalled a quote from the iconic Andy Warhol: "If you want to sell paintings, you have to make them." He took up paints and brushes and began creating his own works in May 2005, without any formal training. Randall called his only preparation a "love for art".

Mark D's paintings have received comments, both verbal and written, from prominent figures in the art world, including Childish, Vine, Damien Hirst, and Tracey Emin. Mark considers Emin an undoubtedly talented artist whose works he admires. His works were first exhibited in September 2005 at the 'La Viande' gallery as part of the show 'Painting Is the Medium of Yesterday'. His solo exhibition, 'Mark D and the Stuckists v Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst', was shown in March 2007 at a gallery provided by the 'Art Organisation' art support program. His solo project included materials about Stuckism, his paintings, and works by two other Stuckist artists that Mark and his wife Tully acquired. This exhibition was called the "world's largest collection of Stuckist paintings".

In February 2008, Randall organized an exhibition of his paintings that satirized the works of Stella Vine, specifically her depiction of Princess Diana and Kate Moss. The artist replaced Princess Diana with Victoria Beckham, who was depicted eating snails with Moss. Another exhibition, co-organized by Abby Jackson, in the 'La Viande' gallery in London, was titled 'Disney Heroines Committing Suicide'. Mark D considers Alfred Wallis, John Bellany, Bryan Pearce, and Stella Vine as the main inspirations for his artwork.

English artist Charles Thomson described Mark's works as "brilliant punk paintings".