Anthropology by Mark Powell – Powerful & moving portraiture

Anthropology by Mark Powell – Powerful portraiture at the Hang-Up Gallery – written by Bojana Duric

Artist Mark Powell has returned to Hang-Up gallery – located in the eclectic neighbourhood of Stoke Newington – for his new show entitled Anthropology.

Known for his incredibly detailed biro pen drawings using found material as his canvas, Powell continues to leave people in awe with a moving portrayal of human beings he’s met throughout his travels.

 

The exhibition features an exclusive collection of original pen and ink drawings as well as a selection of limited edition print releases. Anthropology takes you through a journey around the world.  The show exhibits an anthropological documentation through Powell’s eyes as he immerses himself in different cultures and new experiences. His work captures an immense amount of detail – from the texturing of the hair, to the wrinkles around the eyes – that gives away age – and even to the stitching on the clothing, Powell manages to lure you into each drawing as you try to take in all the impeccable mastery.  To add another anthropological element to his artwork, he uses found vintage material as his canvas. Not only does he preserve the history behind the objects found, but he also uses the canvas to add to an untold story.

The detailing isn’t the only luring thing about Powell’s work – it’s the subject’s eyes that really add a powerful component. Walking around the gallery, you get this feeling as though you’re being watched – and it’s not in a creepy way. The drawings feel so lifelike it’s hard to take your gaze away. As you stare into the eyes of any one of his subjects, you can’t help but wait to get a response. The eyes have a story to tell – whether it’s grief, heartache, or whether they’ve just seen too much. The connection between you and the drawing is unreal. Even though you know it’s simply a drawing, it feels like there’s some kind of an understanding between you and the artwork presented.

The Anthropology exhibition by Mark Powell ends this week 10 April 2016 at the Hang-Up Gallery.

Anthropology by Mark Powell – Powerful portraiture at the Hang-Up Gallery – written by Bojana Duric

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags:

You May Also Like

Photography of Iran by Zadoc Nava

Zadoc Nava – ‘Shadowlands’ The Photography of Iran

The urban spaces of cosmopolitan cities throughout the world bear a degree of uniformity. ...

Rogue Artists Studios

Rogue Artists Studios Manchester will rise again

Rogue Artists Studios, one of the largest studio groups in the North, is facing ...

Interview with Kemi Onabulé

The Lunatics – Kemi Onabulé on her show at Guts Gallery

words Lee Taylor When I first saw Kemi Onabulé’s images for The Lunatics show ...

art on buildings

Is art on buildings a better way to get rid of the old look?

Is art on buildings a better way to get rid of the old look? ...

Marko Stout art

Marko Stout is Catching the Attention of Celebrity Art Collectors

words Alexa Wang Anyone involved in the New York City art scene knows or ...

collage tips

4 ways you’re messing up your collage – and how to fix it

words Alexa Wang Add Value to Your Pictures With smartphones gaining popularity, we are ...