Marcus Jefferson — Harlesden High Street

Marcus Jefferson (b. 1991) grew up in an area in Queens Crescent, Camden, North West London, in which he went to school with peers from both his own background and those from affluent communities. Being surrounded by a mixture of gender, class and race has informed his practice and the ways in which he approaches life. Art became a way to merge the differences in culture, language, fashion, music and morals he was exposed to in order to figure out where he fit in. In his works he attempts to bridge these opposites, making it digestible so both worlds can share and learn from each other.

His practice looks at the cultural language of inner city life – also known as “The Roads” or “Road”. Road is a traumatic lifestyle full of economic struggle and constant drug & violence presence. Through underground and mainstream music, fashion and TV, Road is often packaged up and sold back to audiences. These audiences can be both worlds apart and also native to the culture. Engaging with this consumption through social commentary and humour, Marcus reflects the paradoxical way Road’s pain and struggle is not only normalised but glamorised in pop culture. Growing up where and how he did makes this work extremely personal, and responds to his lived experience. Growing up around people who were not always on the right side of the law taught Marcus how to push boundaries and informs the ways in which he produces his work.

His current works play with the uses of household items associated with the less glamorous side of Road - materials like plastic bags, cling film, tin foil & vaseline. Items known for concealing, packaging, wrapping and instrumental use. Marcus toys with these materials, taking them outside of their typical Road use and placing them within traditional art historical contexts, like canvas, wooden frames and glass. Ultimately mimicing the way in which the other elements of Road culture are warped, polished and packaged to be digestible for consumers, particularly those who are unfamiliar with Road.

2024
SINK & STOVE AIN’T ALL A BROTHER NOSE, Kunsthalle Recklinghausen
Bootings, Basel Social Club, Basel, Switzerland
FREE CUZZY, Harlesden High Street, London, UK
Spin, Duo show with Eden Chau-Morrow
Central London Apartment, King’s Cross, London, UK

2023
T-shirt design in collaboration with Supreme
Group show, Fandalism, Colab Gallery, Basel, Switzerland
Video work included as part of solo show of Lucas Dupuy, Tick Tack, Antwerp, Belgium

2021
Five or Fifth, Florist Gallery, Catford, London, UK

Selected Press
Meet Marcus Jefferson for Berghaus
Art Newspaper - London Gallery Weekend - Critics top picks by Ben Luke
Financial Times - London Gallery Weekend flies the flag for art in the capital by Melanie Girlis
Another Magazine - Six Young Gallerists Shaping London’s Thriving Art Scene, by Koye Odenjinmi Elephant Magazine - The Ultimate London Gallery Weekend Itinerary by Phin Jennings
Spittle - London Gallery Weekend Special