28/05/2026
We thought you would like to know more from our M.A.Z. artists, so we asked five questions for you to get to know more about them.
Artist - Mark Ashcroft
What was your journey into art?
My journey into art started through drawing. It became a way for me to express thoughts, feelings and experiences that I couldn’t always explain with words. I later studied Fine Art at the University of Chester, where I developed my ideas, confidence and understanding of contemporary art. Since then, I’ve continued building my practice through expressive figurative work, mixed media and raw mark-making.
2. Do you have a favourite medium?
My favourite mediums are pencil, oil stick and mixed media on handmade paper. Pencil feels direct and honest, while oil stick allows me to add movement, texture and stronger colour. I like handmade paper because it gives the work a raw, physical quality. I want people to see the marks, the energy and the human feeling behind each piece.
3. How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as expressive figurative art. I use distorted faces, fragmented forms, repeated shapes and flashes of blue to create figures that feel emotional and human. My work is not about making perfect images — it is about showing feeling, pressure, visual noise and connection.
4. What was the inspiration behind your recent artwork?
My recent Blue Interference series is about feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood and surrounded by noise. The blue runs through the work like a signal — sometimes connecting the figure and sometimes interrupting it. The series is about trying to make sense of emotion when thoughts, communication and identity feel unsettled.
5. Any tips for fellow artists?
Keep making work that feels honest to you. Don’t be afraid if your work looks different — that can become your strength. Share your process, speak to people, ask for opportunities and keep putting your work out there. Even small steps can lead to the right people seeing your work.
