Mark Demsteader
Encyclopedia
Mark Demsteader is a British figurative painter. According to The Telegraph
, he is "one of Britain's best-selling figurative painters" (as of 2007).
Born in Manchester
, 1963. His formative years were spent amidst the sights and sounds of Manchester’s Meat Market. Here as a child he accompanied his father to the family to the family butchery and meat packing business. Completely absorbed in the noise, smells and sheer physicality of this environment, the young Mark learnt more about the structure of sinew, bone and flesh, albeit livestock not human, than in any subsequent life drawing class.
As a teenager passionate about pursuing an artistic career Mark completed two foundation courses first and at Oldham
and then Rochdale Colleges of Art. However in the 1980s conceptual art dominated the mainstream market and there were slim pickings for a young determinedly figurative painter in Manchester. Forced to return to work at his father’s wholesale butchery Mark continued to attend life classes religiously throughout the next decade.
In the early 1990s the family business fell victim to the recession and Mark was spurred on to find a commercial outlet for his work. To allow himself time to build a portfolio he took a job as an art technician at an Oldham grammar school for another ten years. A short course at the Slade gave him an opportunity to tour the London galleries with his portfolio but with Brit Art in the ascendency he found good drawing very much out of favour. Luckily a gallery in Greenwich had the foresight to offer him space in a mixed show and he sold six works at the opening. Mark gave notice at the grammar school soon after.
In 1997 he became a founder member of the Neomodern
Art Group founded by Guy Denning
.
He has held an annual solo exhibition with Panter & Hall in the West End of London since 2004. He is now has represented in Japan by Art Obsession in Daikanyama
, Japan.
Most recently, he produced 34 paintings of Harry Potter
actress Emma Watson
.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, he is "one of Britain's best-selling figurative painters" (as of 2007).
Born in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, 1963. His formative years were spent amidst the sights and sounds of Manchester’s Meat Market. Here as a child he accompanied his father to the family to the family butchery and meat packing business. Completely absorbed in the noise, smells and sheer physicality of this environment, the young Mark learnt more about the structure of sinew, bone and flesh, albeit livestock not human, than in any subsequent life drawing class.
As a teenager passionate about pursuing an artistic career Mark completed two foundation courses first and at Oldham
The Oldham College
The Oldham College, is a government funded further education college =in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England. In 2008 the college had over 8,000 students, making it the largest centre of further education in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham. It is a Centre of Vocational Excellence for...
and then Rochdale Colleges of Art. However in the 1980s conceptual art dominated the mainstream market and there were slim pickings for a young determinedly figurative painter in Manchester. Forced to return to work at his father’s wholesale butchery Mark continued to attend life classes religiously throughout the next decade.
In the early 1990s the family business fell victim to the recession and Mark was spurred on to find a commercial outlet for his work. To allow himself time to build a portfolio he took a job as an art technician at an Oldham grammar school for another ten years. A short course at the Slade gave him an opportunity to tour the London galleries with his portfolio but with Brit Art in the ascendency he found good drawing very much out of favour. Luckily a gallery in Greenwich had the foresight to offer him space in a mixed show and he sold six works at the opening. Mark gave notice at the grammar school soon after.
In 1997 he became a founder member of the Neomodern
Neomodern
Neomodern is a term used to describe a "new simplicity" in art and in reaction to the complexity of postmodern architecture and eclecticism. Neomodern is used on occasion to denote the contemporary period.-Neomodern architecture:...
Art Group founded by Guy Denning
Guy Denning
Guy Denning is a self taught English contemporary artist and painter based in France. He is the founder of the Neomodern group, a member of Stuckism International, and part of the urban art scene in Bristol.- Art :...
.
He has held an annual solo exhibition with Panter & Hall in the West End of London since 2004. He is now has represented in Japan by Art Obsession in Daikanyama
Daikanyama
, or simply , is a place in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.The Japanese Postal Code of Daikanyama is 150-0034.-Geography:Daikanyama contains luxury boutiques and upscale pastry shops. In many respects, Aoyama, Omotesando, and Daikanyama all share things in common—they are in central Tokyo and have small...
, Japan.
Most recently, he produced 34 paintings of Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
actress Emma Watson
Emma Watson
Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson is an English actress and model.Watson rose to prominence playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. Watson was cast as Hermione at the age of nine, having previously acted only in school plays. From 2001 to 2011, she starred in all eight Harry Potter...
.