Mark Ward

BIO: Mark Ward is a graphic artist based in South London and working internationally. His style is influenced by 80’s skate culture and Americana combined with elements of his British identity. Like a glace cherry gone rotten, Mark’s images inject the everyday mundane into the sun-drenched California he was sold as a kid to bring a different perspective to the American dream.
I like the typography used in this piece, the depth he has managed to portray by simply playing around with composition. I also like how self contained it is, how nothing leaves the circle template, therefore making a great logo design. The colours used are actually quite subtle if you were to pull them apart; a pale blue, a dull yellow and black. However when they are brought together somehow the final piece is incredibly vivid and attractive.
This is a piece commissioned for the company Zoo York. Mark uses seperate illustrations of places and objects you would usually find in New York City and brings them together to form the number 93. I am not entirely sure why the number 93 was chosen, but this is only one part of a whole series. Other examples of this series include a 24 which contains all Parisian related objects, a 75 which seems to be Tokyo inspired and an 86 which is London related. When put together the idea is very well communicated.
This last piece is quite confusing as I have no idea if it holds purpose in terms of advertising or promotion. However what I do recognise is the similarity between the top of the mans face and the illustration used to promote the 'Coney Island Steeplechase' in the early 20th century. A visual that has become synonymous with the American way of life and gimmickry.