Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Humphrey was born 1970 in Wiltshire and grew up in Berkshire with an arts and craft family upbringing. From a young age, he was compelled to interpret the world around him through drawing, painting, model making and building everyday objects from a variety of materials, tools and techniques.

Pursuing his passion for art and design, Humphrey studied fine art (Diploma) at Maidenhead Art College and interior design (BA Hons) at Middlesex University London 1988-1993. He developed his career through architecture and design studios in Stuttgart, Leipzig, Oxford and London 1994-1999. In 2000 he launched Mark Humphrey Ltd, a London based company committed to delivering his unique artworks for multiple industries in public, private and philanthropic sectors.

For over a decade Humphrey focused on his collections, such as ‘Water Droplets’ 1999-2000, ‘King And Queen’ 2001-2002, ‘Erotic Vessels’ 2007 and ‘Skin On Skin’ 2004-2010 making from an array of high-quality materials, such as bronze, crystal glass, Kevlar fibre, leather, marble and wood. He worked for brands, such as Apple Records (Beatles label), Fendi, Grosvenor Estate, Harrods, Kenzo, Louis Vuitton, Mittal Steel, Ralph Lauren, The Other Palace (Westminster City Council/Andrew Lloyd Webber) and The Rug Company. Including collectors, such as Claudia Schiffer, George Harrison, Michael Schumacher, Ringo Starr, Sean Fitzpatrick and Steven Gerrard.

This concluded with his ‘Art In Life’ 2012 solo show at the Osborne Samuel gallery Mayfair, quoted by The Financial Times “Humphrey is well-versed in blurring artistic boundaries” where “art really is life in Humphrey’s artistic hands.” He was then offered the position of Artist-in-Residence at Jumeirah Mayfair, from 2012-2015, producing commissions, series, exhibitions, hosting private views and talks. Humphrey’s ‘Early Works’ 1992-1998 included architectural designs for Allianz Leipzig and Audi UK, motivating the idea to set up his foundation that inspires audiences, such as London, Beijing, Shanghai, Astana and Moscow.

Since his first Mayfair solo show in 2008, Humphrey’s work has been shown throughout the world. His major WW1 Centenary solo exhibition ‘Remembrance Art Trails nos1-2’ 2016-2018 and ‘Art Honours Our Heroes’ 2018, commissioned by Canary Wharf Group and supported by The Royal British Legion, Corps of Royal Engineers and UK Government (Ministry of Defence), was installed at One Canada Square lobby and across the Canary Wharf estate. A selection of works from his ‘War And Remembrance’ 2013-2018 series are now permanently displayed covering various sites in the UK; Dover seafront parade endorsed by Dover Town Council, Royal Engineers Museum and selected Military Corps regiments.

Humphrey’s “thought provoking and innovative” relevant works are “emotive and engaging,” as stated by The Royal British Legion. Notable examples include ‘Jutland Capsule’ 2016 dedicated by HRH The Duke of York, deployed by the Royal Navy at the protected wreckage site of HMS Invincible, in association with BAE Systems and part of the battle of Jutland Centenary group show at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich;‘Every One Remembered’ 2013-2014 statue commissioned by The Royal British Legion in collaboration with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Greater London Authority, unveiled in Trafalgar Square, with dedications by the First Minister of Wales and Lord Provost of Glasgow, Scotland; and ‘Poppy Appeal Sculptures’ 2013-2016 displayed throughout many CBRE and Land Securities UK shopping centres, as well as the Royal Armouries and Royal Air Force Museums.

Humphrey has donated and sponsored a number of public artworks through his fund for philanthropic projects, such as ‘Forever’ 2014-2015 memorial for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council and The British Armed Forces, dedicated by Princess Anne, HRH The Princess Royal for the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts; including from his ‘Philanthropic Creativity’ 2012-2015 solo show, ‘Hanging On For Dear Life’ 2012 for Prostate Cancer UK previewed at 10 Downing Street; and ‘Beauty Of Partnerships’ 2008-2009 for Women For Women International. This inspired Humphrey’s exhibition ‘Extinction Art Expedition’ 2014 with works in Italy, such as ‘Here Today And Gone Tomorrow’ 2011-2013, ‘Blue Planet’ 2013-2014, ‘On A Knife-Edge’ 2014, and ‘Manners Maketh Man (This Aint’t Mickey Mouse)’ 2011-2013.

He has been invited to present concepts across different industries, for example Aston Martin, Bentley, The British Museum, Chief of Defence People/MoD, Churches Conservation Trust, Dent Clocks (Big Ben)/FIFA, Dior, Dunhill, Football Association, Four Seasons, John Lewis Partnership, Kazakhstan National Museum/City Planning, Lacoste, Lawn Tennis Association/Nike, LVMH, Natural History Museum, Paul Smith, Pemberton/Rolling Stones, Premier League, Rolls Royce Cars, Royal Air Force, Sunseeker, Tag Heuer and U.S. Embassy London.

Humphrey has received many awards in recognition of his achievements, such as The International Design and Architectural Awards for best bespoke product ‘Final Encore’ 2011-2012; The London Club and Bar Awards for best new club ‘Jalouse’ 2008-2009; MIPIM Awards for best new residential building and Architect Design Merit Awards (Hong Kong Institute) for best new building ‘Grosvenor Place’ 2000-2003 (collaboration with PDP London) including his carbon fibre and titanium ‘Space Age’ 2003 series.

Having been a benefactor to the Design Museum London and the Italian Cultural Institute Belgravia, Humphrey was selected for the UK Government (Department of Trade and Industry) creative industries delegation travelling to Beijing and Shanghai China. He has also been invited to design sculpture parks, judge competitions, present industry awards and be guest speakers, such as the Royal Institute of British Architects London.

His workshops and talks are sought after worldwide, hosted at American Express London, Art Nouveau Design School Kazakhstan, British Canoeing, British Embassy Moscow, Creed Design School Paris, Detail Design School Moscow, KLC Design School London and Machida Hiroko Academy Tokyo

Humphrey’s work is showcased across various international fairs, such as Art Frieze London, Masterpiece London, Maison Objet Paris and Salone del Mobile Milan. They are referenced in numerous art and design books, and featured throughout the global media spanning American, Asian, European and Middle Eastern publications.

He is partnering with British Canoeing, Olympic and Paralympic canoe teams (ranked no1 in the world), making his first sports performance public artwork ‘Agitos, Rings And Medals’ 2019-2023, unveiling the miniature at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics 2020 and launching the sculpture for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics 2024. This progression was stimulated by ‘Nick Beighton pts1-2’ 2017-2018 pioneering portraits about trauma to champion of a British paracanoeist and former British Army officer.

Humphrey is also working on a groundbreaking new portraiture series for upcoming exhibitions, showcasing his illuminated vibrant techniques. He is attempting to produce original work that uniquely captures our physical and digital worlds.