MARCUS AITKEN
ABOUT
Press/Interviews
Exhibitions
-MOB Solo show, Madrid, December 2023
- 'Kaecen', group show, Covent Garden London, October 2023
-Turner Art perspective, group show, London, June 2023
- 'Value of art in society today' Pistol Gallery, Scotland, May 2023
- Private collectors invite, MOB gallery, Madrid, 4th April 2023
- The Other Art fair, East London, 9th March 2023
- The Affordable Art Fair, London Battersea, 9th March 2023
- The Auction Collective Studio Sales, London Online, 27th Jan 2023
- LVT x Marcus Aitken, The Webster, Miami USA, 2nd December 2022
-'Pie in the Sky', group show, protein studios, London, 14th September 2022
- La Grange gallery group show, France, 4th June 2022
- Art Futures, St.art, 30th May London 2022
- Banditto Residency, Tuscany Italy, 12th May 2022
- AAF, Turner Art Perspective, Hamstead London, 5th May 2022
- AAF, Gas Gallery, Battersea London, 10th March 2022
- Farah Collaboration, 1LDK Annex Nagoya Japan, 3rd January 2022
- Pringle of Scotland solo show, Mayfair, 21st October 2021
- Raw, Crystal Palace, 4th - 28th November 2021
- Auction Collective 50x50, Cromwell place, London 29 September 2021
- Hoxton Shoreditch, solo show - 24 June - 26 October 2021
- The Stand auction, online, 24th September 2021
- Pikes Ibiza at Marston Park, 17-19 September 2021
- Paladin, Gillman Barracks, Singapore, 11 June 2021
- Vault Project Residency, Whitcomb street - 2nd March - 24th April 2021
- Tom Cox Gallery, group show, London - 12th April - 16th May 2021
- New Tenants, Virtual exhibition, London - 1st March 2021
- Diverse Voices, Salt Lake city, Utah - 11th February 2021
- Fresh Perspectives - London Paint Club - 4th Jan 2021
- Auction Collective, London - 9th December 2020
- Secret7 , Now Gallery - 14th October 2020
- Soft Punk solo show - 16th November 2020
- Art on a postcard, London - 5th November 2020
- Anonymous Heart Project - 1st November 2020
- Gander Gallery - Visions Exhibition, October 2020
- The Other Art Fair, Online studios, June 2020
- Leeds Summer Group Show, Online, May 2020
- Art Pistol Group show, Glasgow, January 2020
- Floorr Magazine EXH01, Online, November 2019
- Fresco Gallery group show, Portugal, September 2019
- The Other Art Fair, Victoria House, London, October 2019
- The Piglrm, solo show, London, August 2019
- Sleep & Eat, Live Painting, Olympia London, June 2019
- Crystal Palace Open House, London, March 2019
- The Other Art Fair, Truman Brewery, London, March 2019
- Control Exhibition - Curator and Exhibitor, London, August 2018
- Deptford X art festival, London, August 2018
- Bog Standard, The strand, London, June 2018
- Homo Promo, Old Street, March 2018
Marcus is a contemporary British artist (b.1990) living and working in London. Known for his gestural paintings, Marcus uses a combination of layering, distressing and blending to present a multifaceted surface to his work. His background in design has developed his artistic style creating cutting-edge abstract works.
He has shown in exhibitions internationally and has collectors around the globe. His work has been featured by various publications including Schön! Magazine, Condé Nast, Art Plugged, Saatchi Online, Soft Punk Magazine, High Snobiety, Trebuchet, Culture Trip and is part of the Soho House collection.
“Marcus’ rigorous design background shines through in his creative process—building up and distressing multiple layers of pigment on canvas, and then applying expressive brushstrokes—ultimately yielding expertly balanced and dramatic compositions.”
– Rebecca Wilson, Chief Curator & VP Saatchi Art
"Aitken impulsively captures raw movements in his work in an exploratory style that dictates his tempo. He is also a drummer in a post-punk band and isn’t one to rest easily, embracing the constant energy that flows through him and feeding it into his art"."
- Trebuchet Magazine
"Produced on industrial plywood with the artist’s signature, probing style — using brighter tones to underscore more sinister, muted colours — Now + Never stands as a coherent body of work from one of London’s most promising young artists."
- Jacob Barnes, Editor of Soft Punk Magazine
"I suppose there is an element of performance when I work as the output is very raw, impulsive, and intuitive. These almost 'thrown on' brushstrokes are informed by the different genres of musical tempos I am listening to in the studio at any one time. For me, painting is a very physical process and this is something I hope the viewer is able to engage with when face to face with my work."
Marcus regularly exhibits his work and has commissioned works for commercial spaces and individual collectors. To keep up with the latest exhibitions, art fairs and news, follow Marcus on Instagram @marcusaitken_
Education:
2009-2012
UAL, London College of Communication, Illustration, London, UK
2008-2009
Camberwell College of Arts, Foundation Course, London, UK