Victor’s History

Mixed media sculpture
2023

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Mark’s artwork explores history and conflict through our relationship with animals, especially horses. His sculptures are created from the skeleton outwards using recycled materials, including thousands of wire strands. The horseman is an ancient symbol of strength, whereas his cavalry are meditations on the fragility of life and the tragedy of Imperialism

Mark was included in the 2017-18 and 2020-21 New Light tours and has exhibited regionally, nationally and overseas.

Mark describes his work as ‘extreme making’- taking relatively simple techniques such as twisting recycled wire to extraordinary lengths. Influenced by shamanism his sculptures are built outwards from a skeleton and often include internal organs which are covered over as construction progresses.

He says, ‘As I work a debris field of offcuts falls around the sculpture, but I don’t tidy up as it’s amazing how often the exact shape I want is in the pile of scrap in front of me. I made my first horsemen during the centenary of the First World War, a conflict which was the twilight of the mounted soldier. However, Victor’s History, the piece included in the exhibition, is modelled on an earlier conflict, the Crimean War… it’s interesting how certain strategic places reoccur throughout History. I’m aware of the controversy around some of our civic statues, my cavalry sculptures could be seen as alternative war memorials. Of course, civic sculpture is a product of its time, as are mine. I’ve great respect for the service of our armed forces.’

Mark is actively involved in Arts education, running workshops and managing the Arts programme of Carlisle Youth Zone, a vibrant inner-city youth club.