Mark Leckey, a London-based artist, considers his solo trip to Rome as a turning point in his life. Instead of going on a lads’ holiday to Benidorm with his friends, he decided to travel alone to see the Sistine Chapel. This trip sparked his obsession with Italian art, particularly the works of Giotto and Piero Della Francesca. Although the trip was a disaster in terms of crowded tourist locations and unsatisfactory local cuisine, it marked the moment when Leckey broke away from his troubled past.
Prior to this trip, Leckey’s future seemed bleak. He had already been to court three times, although he claims innocence for two of those instances. He found himself trapped in a cycle of trouble and couldn’t envision a different future for himself. It wasn’t until his stepfather suggested art as an escape route that Leckey even considered it. He eventually retook his A-levels in art.
Throughout his career, Leckey has always stood apart from his peers. In the 90s, when irony ruled the art scene, he created his groundbreaking work, “Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore,” which explored raw emotions and depicted clubbers in a hazy montage. His latest exhibition, “The Offing,” which will be displayed at Margate’s Turner Contemporary, showcases his ongoing journey of experimentation. It is a group show rather than a solo one, as Leckey has commissioned work from various artists to be mixed with his own. The exhibition features a 45-minute loop of video work displayed on several screens in the gallery, showcasing his innovative approach to presenting videos.
Leckey’s own video piece for the exhibition, “DAZZLEDDARK,” is a visual poem that explores his complex emotions towards seaside towns. The video juxtaposes the bright neon lights of Margate’s Dreamland with the vast darkness of the water, symbolizing both pleasure and fear. Leckey aims to create art that emulates the condition of music, and he draws inspiration from his NTS show, where he combines various genres and sounds to create a unique experience. He aims to achieve the same level of creativity and innovation in his artwork.
Despite his success, Leckey continues to create his work in an unconventional manner. He prefers using a laptop on his kitchen table, surrounded by artwork made by his children. This approach keeps him grounded and prevents him from becoming detached from the creative process. Leckey does not think of his work as “art” while he is making it, as he fears falling into the trappings of the art world. Critics have struggled to categorize and define his work, but Leckey simply sees it as funny and enjoyable.
By continuously pushing the boundaries and exploring new ways of presenting his artwork, Mark Leckey remains a unique and influential figure in the art world.
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