In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Mark McGowan (@the_artist_taxidriver)

Mark McGowan is a British street artist, performance artist, film maker and public protester who has gone by the artist name Chunky Mark and more recently The Artist Taxi Driver.

By profession, McGowan is a London taxi driver and occasional University speaker and arts tutor. McGowan is known internationally for his performance art including shock art, street art and installation art, and as a stuntman, internet personality, video blogger, social commentator, social critic, satirist, political activist, peace activist, and an anti-establishment, anti-war, anti-capitalist anti-monarchist and anti-power elite protester.

Under the artist name "Chunky Mark", McGowan entered the mainstream news in the early 2000s for his unconventional, satirical, sometimes comedic and/or ironic, and often absurd approach to public protest and demonstration. Chunky Mark conducted hundreds of performances in the UK and dozens around the world, stirring up some international attention, further debate on what "art really is", controversy; and both support and mockery alike from intellectuals, the art world, private corporations, the police, the military, the tabloids and the public. Often McGowan has not applied for police permission beforehand.

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

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In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Clarke Reynolds (@clarkereynoldsofficial)

Born in 1981 in Portsmouth, Clarke Reynolds began his life journey with a unique perspective, one shaped by limited sight and profound resilience.

Despite facing the challenges of domestic violence and alcohol abuse in his childhood, Clarke found solace and expression through drawing. His sketchbook became his sanctuary, a space where he could escape and create.Clarke's artistic path took a pivotal turn when he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, leading to the eventual loss of sight in his right eye at the age of just 6, since then he has lost the sight in his left eye leaving him with just 5 degrees of vision. These life-altering events steered him away from his career as a dental model maker, but also opened a new door to the world of art.

It was through his discovery of textiles that Clarke realised he could translate the tactility of fabrics and the dimension of sound into visual art, crafting pieces that are not only seen but felt.

Embracing his journey, Clarke now dedicates his time to creating art in his Portsmouth studio and teaching Braille, including leading a class named after him at London’s Kings Cross Academy. His passion for Braille, a vital tool for 30,000 people in the UK, is evident in his commitment to promoting its benefits.

Clarke is represented by Grove Gallery for his original artwork.

For more information on the work of Clarke Reynolds go to

https://clarkereynoldsart.com

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.org

Email: ministryofartsorg@gmail.com

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

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In this episode Gary Mansfield speaks to Mason Storm (@masonstormgenius)

Masons work has been considered controversial and provocative, however he never try’s to be controversial in his subject matter just for the sake of it, there is always an underlying reason for the work he produces.

Mason is probably best known for his mask. It has become a trademark, hiding his identity whilst creating a mystique which helps with promotion and publicity. He began wearing it when in 2010 he said he was going to reveal the face of the artist Banksy in an oil painting. The whole campaign was nothing more than a big marketing ploy and it worked. The supposed unveiling of Banksy courted a lot of negative publicity and the occasional death threat. Nothing he hasn’t encountered many times in his previous life but he knew the fact that he was remaining anonymous would annoy Banksy’s followers even more. Secondly, in his previous careers he has met and dealt with some extremely dangerous men. There is no risk to his security but he would rather the two worlds never meet. Also he occasionally does freelance work and its better for him if he remain in the shadows so to speak. So the mask, apart from its marketing potential allows him to hide in plain sight.

Text via @reloadgallery

For more information on the work of Mason Storm go to

https://www.masonstormenterprises.co.uk/

To Support this podcast from as little as £3 per month: www.patreon/ministryofarts

For full line up of confirmed artists go to https://www.ministryofarts.org

Email: ministryofartsorg@gmail.com

Social Media: @ministryofartsorg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.