ABOUT HUMPHREY

“I believe the journey to creative liberation is found in the freedom of imagination.” Mark Humphrey

Soul Falling no1, 2021

Mark Humphrey is a British artist, designer, inventor and philanthropist whose vision is to blend Art, Design, Architecture and Technology into a unified creative force. Humphrey believes by integrating this ‘blend’ into the fabric of society; in many ways, for many people, and about many subjects; is key to generating meaningful impact and progress. Humphrey feels advancing creativity is an essential aspect of life which helps people connect, both physically and emotionally, to themselves, to others and the world around them. 

RINGO STARR REMARKED, “YOU ARE A GENTLEMAN AND YOUR WORKS ARE WOW!”

Following the interdisciplinary approach, Humphrey works across multiple creative fields unifying sculpture, installation, painting, performance and digital art; architecture, interior, industrial and fashion design; technology, sociology and environmental disciplines; often integrated into a single piece of work. Inspired by the 15th century Renaissance, he uses a collective of combined skill sets, where these fields interact and merge, creating a combined form of expression. He calls this cohesive method the unification of artistry. By amalgamating these disciplines, removing their boundaries and distilling their elements into a dynamic process of going deeper into subjects, Humphrey finds it empowers the freedom of imagination, enables possibility and liberates creativity.

THE INDEPENDENT QUOTED, “A TALENTED POLYMATH WITH EXCELLENT ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS AND GENUINE CREATIVE URGENCY.”

For over three decades, Humphrey has forged his own artistic path covering a broad spectrum of topics through his wide-ranging conceptual style and reconstructing techniques. The exploration of natural and synthetic materials, together with varied fabrication methods, fuels Humphrey’s multidimensional process, from sketching concepts to constructing large-scale works. His award-winning works include remembrance and cultural public art, healthcare and climate change awareness installations, ultra-luxury property developments and lifestyle superbrands products, Olympic and Paralympic performance sculptures. With concern for global issues, Humphrey has presented concepts relating to poverty, racism and animal welfare.

FENDI CASA CEO STATED, “MARK IS A VISIONARY LIKE MICHELANGELO.”

Final Encore, 2011-2012

Humphrey specialises in bespoke commissions, designing and building custom-made monumental works for internationally renowned clients and partners. His works have been commissioned by notable names such as The Beatles, Ministry of Defence, Grosvenor Estate, Canary Wharf Group, KPMG, CBRE Group, Arcelor Mittal, Jumeirah, Fendi, Kenzo and Louis Vuitton. He has donated works to organisations such as the British Armed Forces, Prostate Cancer UK, Team GB, Paralympic GB, Paddle UK and The Royal British Legion, including dedications by members of The British royal family, Lord Mayors and ministers from the UK Government. Humphrey has been invited to charitable events such as 10 Downing Street and British Consulates for his philanthropic sculptures. See below more organisations and individuals who have engaged with Humphrey.

THE FINANCIAL TIMES WROTE, “ART REALLY IS LIFE IN MARK HUMPHREY’S ARTISTIC HANDS.”

  • A Apple Records (The Beatles) 
  • B British Armed Forces
  • C Canary Wharf Group
  • D Dunhill
  • E
  • F Fendi
  • G Grosvenor Estate
  • H Harrods
  • I Italian Cultural Institute
  • J Jumeirah
  • K Kenzo
  • L Louis Vuitton
  • M Mayor of London
  • N National Maritime Museum 
  • O Osborne Samuel Gallery
  • P Prostate Cancer UK
  • Q Quintessentially Concierge 
  • R Ringo Starr
  • S Sunseeker
  • T Team GB
  • U UK Government
  • V Vitra
  • W Women For Women International
  • X
  • Y Yoo
  • Z Zoffany
Click to open full list
  • A 
    • ABF The Soldiers Charity
    • Allianz
    • Andrew Lloyd Webber
    • American Express
    • Apple Records (The Beatles) 
    • Arcelor Mittal
    • Artichoke Arts
    • Asia Standard
    • Aston Martin
    • Audi
  • B 
    • BAE Systems
    • BBC
    • Bentley
    • Blackburn Town Council
    • British Armed Forces
    • British Army
    • British Embassy Moscow
    • Buckled Records
  • C 
    • Canary Wharf Group
    • Cardiff City Council
    • CBRE Group
    • Chartwell (Sir Winston Churchill)
    • Chase Erwin
    • Chief of Defence People (MoD)
    • Churches Conservation Trust
    • City Planning Astana
    • Claudia Schiffer
    • Combat Stress
    • Commonwealth War Graves Commission
    • Corps of Royal Engineers
    • CP Hart
  • D
    • Decorex International
    • Dent London (Big Ben)
    • Design Centre London
    • Design Museum
    • Design School of Kazakhstan
    • Detail Design School
    • Dover Town Council
    • Dunhill
    • Dymov Ceramics
  • E
  • F 
    • Fendi
    • FIFA (Dent Clocks)
    • Football Association
    • Fort Burgoyne (The Land Trust)
    • Four Seasons Hotels
  • G 
    • George Harrison
    • Glasgow City Council
    • Greater London Authority
    • Grosvenor Estate
    • Guards Polo Club
  • H 
    • Halyk Bank
    • Harrods
    • Hatfield Park (Lord and Lady Salisbury)
    • Henry Bertrand
    • Hyde Yachts
  • I 
    • Italian Cultural Institute
    • Ivory Coast Embassy London
  • J 
    • John Lewis Partnership
    • Jumeirah
  • K 
    • Kenzo
    • KLC School of Design
    • Knight Frank
    • KPMG
    • Kuretake Pens
  • L 
    • Lacoste
    • Land Securities Group
    • Lawn Tennis Association
    • Leeds Castle
    • Louis Vuitton
    • LVHM
  • M 
    • Mayfair Hospitality Group
    • Mayor of London
    • Michael Schumacher
    • Mid Kent College (Holdfast)
    • Moroso
    • Movenpick 
  • N 
    • National Memorial Arboretum
    • National Maritime Museum
    • National Museum Astana
    • National Trust
    • Natural History Museum
    • Newcastle City Council
    • Nexpo Global
    • Nick Beighton
    • Norton Motorcycles 
  • O 
    • Osborne Samuel Gallery
  • P 
    • Paddle UK
    • Pampaloni
    • Paralympic GB (Paralympic Canoe Team)
    • Park Lane Group
    • Paul Smith
    • PDP London
    • Perspex
    • Peter Eyre
    • Poggenpoghl Kitchens
    • Poliform
    • Portmeirion Pottery
    • Premier League
    • Princess Pemberton
    • Private Collectors
    • Prostate Cancer UK
  • Q 
    • Quintessentially Concierge 
  • R 
    • Ralph Lauren
    • Revo (UK Shopping Centres)
    • Ringo Starr
    • Rolling Stones
    • Rolls Royce Cars
    • Rossana Kitchens
    • Royal Air Force
    • Royal Air Force Association
    • Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
    • Royal Air Force Charitable Trust
    • Royal Air Force Museum
    • Royal Armouries Museum
    • Royal British Legion Industries
    • Royal Engineers Museum
    • Royal Navy
    • Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity
    • Royal Wootton Bassett Academy
    • Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council
  • S 
    • Sean Fitzpatrick
    • Shizaru Gallery
    • Steven Gerrard
    • Stoll
    • Seguso Glassware
    • Sunseeker
  • T 
    • Tag Heuer
    • Team GB (Olympic Canoe Team)
    • The British Museum
    • The Not Forgotten Association
    • The Other Palace
    • The Poppy Factory
    • The Royal British Legion
    • The Rug Company
    • Transport for London
  • U 
    • UEFA Respect
    • UK Government/Department of Culture, Media and Sport 
    • UK Government/Department of Trade and Industry
    • UK Government/Ministry of Defence
    • US Embassy London
  • V 
    • Victoria Cross Society
    • Vitra
  • W 
    • Waterfront Bathrooms
    • Welsh Government
    • Westminster City Council
    • Wiltshire County Council
    • Women For Women International
    • Wool Classics
    • Wuppertal University 
  • X
  • Y 
    • Yoo
  • Z 
    • Zimmer Rohde
    • Zoffany

Humphrey is known for his vast collection of personal sketchbooks and handcrafted models which are the heart of his practice. Throughout his life, he has been sketching conceptual studies in mixed materials and media; drawings, paintings, maquettes and miniatures on a diverse range of interests. Humphrey considers the ‘creative concept’ to be the most important and value added part of the entire project. To date, he has prolifically created over 10,000 sketches, which are displayed in his Tapestry Of Ideas, 1996-2026; a constantly growing and evolving montage that currently spans over 100 metres. The digital version delivers a visual ticker-tape timeline and his Cases Of Concepts, 1997-2026; a 3-dimensional installation showcase of over 1,000 models in vitrines, provide a unique insight into Humphrey’s extraordinary mind and career. 

THE TIMES WROTE, “SOMETHING ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT,” AND THE RUG COMPANY STATED, “INVENTOR OF UNUSUAL THINGS.”

Tapestry Of Ideas, 1996-2026

Humphrey’s practice compels him to study a subject, take apart the components and intensely examine the elements. Influenced by Da Vinci’s sketchbooks, he begins with the all-important sketch work process. By using inventive ideas, his experimentation unlocks the opportunities and realises the vision within the brief. This results in typically prolific studies that evoke profoundly layered experiences, where his vibrant conceptual structures reveal hidden potential for discovery and connection. Grosvenor Estate remarked, “Mark is the Holy Grail of creativity.”

Sketch work concept examples include RAF100, a 36,000 paper aeroplane installation for the Royal Air Force; 100 Objects, lifestyle objects inspired by the classic DB5 for Aston Martin; Gastronomy Sculptures, edible art for events at the Four Seasons Hotels; Watch Table And Chairs, flagship store sculptural furniture for Tag Heuer; Dining In Space, multifunctional homeware products for John Lewis Partnership; Victoria Bid, art trail sculptures for Land Securities Group; and Sports Sculptures, public art installations for the Premier League and Football Association, including Dent Clocks and FIFA.

SAATCHI WROTE, “HUMPHREY IS MORE CREATIVE,” WHICH HAS ESTABLISHED HIM AS “A NEW SUPER-DISCIPLINE OF VISUAL CREATIVITY,” AS STATED BY IDENTITY MAGAZINE.

Final Encore, 2011-2012 and Fallen Soldier, 2016

Humphrey’s expertise extends beyond the creation of the concept and the unique ways in which he translates ideas into reality. As the inspirational creative lead, with his infectious energy, Humphrey drives the team to deliver the project vision to fruition. A team member said, “He showed what each and everyone can achieve with some effort and a ‘drop’ of talent, as he put it. He inspired us and gave us wings. For that Mark, thank you!” 

In his relentless pursuit of knowledge for the unification of artistry, Humphrey has amassed extensive global experience with various fabrication methods by fully immersing himself in the making processes and workshops, often living with the artisans. Manufacturing examples range from silverware, glass, furniture and stone in Italy; metalwork and steel foundries at the Corps of Royal Engineers and Formula One carbon fibre in the UK; exotic skins in Cape Town, South Africa; and precious stone inlays in Jaipur, India.

BBC RADIO COMMENTED, “HUMPHREY IS A POLYMATH FOR CREATIVITY, THAT’S WHAT WE LIKE, A MAN OUT THERE GETTING ON WITH IT, PUTTING SOMETHING BACK INTO THE COUNTRY, WE LOVE IT.”

Over the course of his career, Humphrey has applied the interdisciplinary approach to fusing various genres, such as expressionist fine art, deconstructive architecture, minimalist design and more recently biomorphism. By blurring these lines, his unified method creates multi-sensory environments and experiences, which actively engage and envelop the observer in both physically evocative and mentally emotive ways.

Current examples of his immersive works include Soul Falling, a glass pavilion sculpture concept and Honouring Heroes, architectural 3-dimensional mural paintings. Humphrey’s large semi-enclosed structures serve as the impetus for human interaction, engineered for the primary purpose to create connection between the interior (a place of engagement) and the exterior (a space of observation). Previous examples are Boots On The Ground, a roped tent installation of 100 pairs of boots and Lost Soldiers, a shrine installation of 100 helmets on stakes.

THE FINANCIAL TIMES WROTE, “HUMPHREY IS WELL-VERSED IN BLURRING ARTISTIC BOUNDARIES.”

Every One Remembered, 2013-2014

Further examples of Humphrey’s works have toured across the UK supported by various city councils, such as City Hall, Westminster, Cardiff and Edinburgh. These include the unveiling of the Every One Remembered obelisk statue in Trafalgar Square; the Jutland Capsule memorial casket at the National Maritime Museum, which was deployed over the HMS Invincible protected historical wreckage site in the North Sea; and Honouring Heroes portraiture installation at One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London.

On permanent display are the Final Encore staircase installation at The Other Palace, London; Brothers In Arms statue installation at the Ministry of Defence memorial gardens, UK; the Centenary Solider statue at Fort Burgoyne, Kent; and Agitos, Rings And Medals sculptures at the National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham.

Other works have been chosen for the nation’s public art collections, such as the Point Of Everyman’s Land vitrine installation at the Royal Engineers museum and the Poppy Appeal Sculptures reusable memorials at the Royal Armouries museum and across UK shopping centres.

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION COMMENTED, “A GREAT RESULT…THOUGHT PROVOKING AND INNOVATIVE.”

Humphrey has exhibited with Mayfair galleries in London and his work is also shown at international fairs and cultural institutions. He has won awards such as The International Design and Architectural Awards, and collaborated to win the Mipim award for Grosvenor Estate and Asia Standard developers. Humphrey has given talks at the Royal Institute of British Architects and other organisations such as schools, museums and embassies. He has also led workshops worldwide, such as (KLC) West Dean College of Arts, Design, Craft and Conservation UK, Creed Design School Paris, Art Nouveau Design School Kazakhstan, Detail Design School Moscow and Machida Hiroko Academy Tokyo.

Humphrey has been a supporter to the UK creative industries such as the Department of Business and Trade, UK Government, the Design Museum, London, educational bodies and charitable institutions. He also attracts sponsorship by companies such as Rolls Royce and BAE Systems, with endorsements by organisations such as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Churches Conservation Trust and Women For Women International.

CANARY WHARF GROUP CAO REMARKED, “A WONDERFUL PRESENTATION OVERWHELMED BY THE CONTENT.”

Art Honours Our Heroes, 2018 and Forever, 2014-2015

Within the last 10 years, Humphrey has applied the interdisciplinary approach to developing an original style of making pictures, combining painting, sculpture, architecture and design to create 3D pictorial structures. He calls his method painting on air. The objective of this new artistic reconstructing technique is to liberate the paint, freeing it from the constraints of the conventional brush and canvas and enables the work to be seen from different perspectives, creating the experience of additional dimensions through a seemingly suspended state of animation. Examples include Nick Beighton pts1-2, 2017-2018 and Sketch Works, 2015-2026. 

Humphrey is currently working on a street facade composition, sushi and cocktail bar installations for a high-end restaurant in Park Lane, London; ENDi. Luxury Deathstyle, a ‘faux’ flagship store lifestyle brand exhibition of over 40 fashion and homeware works addressing global issues; and conceptual remembrance sculptures at Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s home for the National Trust, UK. He is also one of two competition finalists for Kazakhstan’s largest bank, working on a monumental cultural public artwork in Astana.

ART INVESTOR WROTE, “A MASTERPIECE – OUT OF A MUSEUM AND TOTALLY FUNCTIONAL.”