In this episode of A brush with..., Mark Leckey talks to Ben Luke about his influences, from art to literature, film and music, and the cultural experiences that have shaped his life and work.
Installation view of Mark Leckey at Cabinet, London, 2022. Courtesy of the artist and Cabinet, London.
Born in 1964 in Birkenhead, Wirral, Leckey grew up in a working-class family and studied fine art at Newcastle Polytechnic, graduating in 1990. His enormously varied and experimental work sits on the cusp of digital and analogue worlds. Using video, sound, performance and installation, he explores the meanings and effects of images, consumer products, media and technologies, alongside themes including class and capitalism, interwoven with personal and collective histories.
Installation view of Mark Leckey's Industrial Light and Magic (2008) at the 2008 Turner Prize. Courtesy of the artist; Cabinet, London; Galerie Bucholz; G.B.E
Deeply subjective and emotional, yet seeking universal truths, Leckey’s practice has made him one of the most influential artists working today. In 2008, he won the Turner Prize for an exhibition of his moving image works, including Industrial Light and Magic (2008) and Cinema in the Round (2007).
Mark Leckey, Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore (1999), video still. Courtesy: the artist and Cabinet, London
He tells us about his preoccupation with pre-Renaissance icons, his early interest in Mexican Muralism, the influence of Lutz Bacher and Mike Kelley, his fascination with a range of musical artists, and his use of YouTube, TikTok and other platforms in making his work. Plus, he answers our questions about daily rituals, the one work of art he would choose to live with, and the ultimate question: what is art for?
• Mark Leckey, Cabinet, London (until 30 April). You can find Leckey's latest works, as well as previous pieces like Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore and Dream English Kid on his YouTube channel.
•Series 9 of A brush with..., runs from 23 March-13 April, with episodes released on Wednesdays. You can download and subscribe to the podcast here. This podcast is sponsored by Bloomberg Connects.