Smithy,  2000

Lambdachrome print on plastic

84'' x 36"

“They are half men, half cartoons-manufactured monsters of exaggerated masculinity, larger than life and twice as ugly” M.H. 2000

These photo portraits are composite characters rather than individuals. They are based on his many visits to Oldham Athletic Football Club (Mark is a keen Latics fan) and use a combination of observation, memory and Imaginative caricature. Through them he continues to explore his fascination with ‘masculine’ and ‘regional’ identity and with faces and features of his native town. He aims to capture the spirit, attitude and identity of that particular English phenomenon – the football casual – whose image is closely linked to a stereotypical hooligan, yop, lager lout or lad. They document the dress codes, loyalty to styles and an obsessive slavish devotion to chosen labels, logos and sportswear that are typical of large numbers of sports fans revealing aspects of their personalities, social interest, allegories and aspirations. In doing so his work builds on the English foundation of the Comic History Genre and pays homage to a whole range of artists including, Daumier, Gillray, Ensor and Rowlandson. He also gives a very definite nod of recognition and gratitude to that other champion of the North West, L.S. Lowry.” Peter Fox, Oldman Art Gallery, 2000