Dart Art Mark Demsteader T
he arts in all their guises have often been described as ‘the quickest route to the poor house’ and for many that proves to be true. Davidson Fine Art in totnes has discovered an artist that is the exception to the rule.
Mark Demsteader is a case in point, born in to a working class family of butchers he was strong armed into joining the family business, a bit of his history that prompted the head- line, many years later in the Manchester evening Post :
“Ex Butcher Toast of the Art World”
there isn’t much in a meat market to ignite an artist’s imagination, but Mark found his inspiration where he could. Meat was Demsteader’s daily life for over ten years. born in, Oldham, he took an foundation course in art at Oldham College followed by a period at rochdale College and the Slade. His awards include the Public eye Award, the lyceum Prize and the Sidney Andrews Scholarship.
At 6’3” and possessing the build of a rugby player, Mark is an unlikely artist. Despite his imposing physical presence he is humble and self conscious preferring to hide behind his work. Mark radiates an awkward mixture of passion for his practice and modest uncertainty about his position as one of the fastest rising stars on the contemporary art scene.
Away from the day job, Mark continued to study art,
particularly life drawing. His interest was first triggered on a school trip to louvre in Paris (the first gallery he had ever been in) where his approach to the paintings was driven by a curiosity for how they were created.
From his initial forays which consisted of sketches of sides of beef, his subjects now include super model erin O’Connor,
Harry Potter actress emma watson and ballet dancer ta- mara rojo. He also numbers tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, nicholas Cage and Formula 1 veteran eddie Jordan as collectors.
in recent years Mark’s reputation has flourished, such that he has become one of the most popular figurative artists working in britain to- day. His powerful depictions of the female form in clean assured lines in oil, charcoal and gouache have sparked a renaissance of interest in tra- ditional life drawing amongst the art collecting fraternity. Mark’s work is simple, stylish, seductive and it possesses a freedom of stroke that draws your eye in a cursory line from a delicate cheekbone to the nape of an enviously long neck and down a tendril of curling hair.
Davidson Fine Art, 22 High Street, Totnes, 01803 865774
Please mention By The Dart when responding to adverts. To advertise here, please call 01803 835740 or email
mark@bythedart.co.uk
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