Born in London to a watercolour hobbyist mother and an electronics-tinkering father, a career at the intersection of those disparate activities as a digital artist seemed fairly well secured from the start. Studying Psychology and Philosophy at Leeds University (for the kicks) but always with one eye on the artistic, I forged an early career in videogame art for Rare/Nintendo (the then most graphically advanced developer on the planet) that lasted well and brought joy and exhaustion in equal measure. Latterly, I found myself a part of Microsoft Games Studios, as well as founding an app development start-up in solo capacity as 'the art/design guy', garnering myriad awards and commendations as we pushed creative and visual solutions into otherwise staid industries. Somehow also finding time to build a blossoming family of my own along the way, it's been an interesting ride this far.

Looking now to pursue an exclusively fine-art adventure in the contemporary art sphere and have been thrashing at it in earnest for a couple of years. Success so far looks like a few shared shows and open exhibitions, a magazine inside cover, and a couple of sales to friends and family—with the DubeI Prize shortlisting being the obvious highlight to now.

20-year-old London-based creative prodigy, Freddie Peacock, is the latest young talent to break through the London scene, honouring his skills as a contemporary artist and designer. Originally heavily focused on portraiture as a painter, Peacock expanded his horizons to both landscapes and timeless statement pieces, with the aim of showing his audience that he is talented in more than one field. A so far remarkable career has been recognised by numerous brands, musicians, and media outlets on a worldwide scale. Notably, by Instagram, when he was selected as one of the best creators on their platform under the age of 21. Despite the extent of the projects Peacock has planned for 2023, he is also currently pursuing a degree in jewellery design at Central Saint Martins. In 2022, Peacock partnered with the London-based non-profit organisation ‘4BYSIX’ to create the painting “Who is Virgil?” which was displayed in a group exhibition on Bond Street. The piece paid tribute to, and dissected the extraordinary life and career of the late design icon, Virgil Abloh, and performed above expectations, outbidding some of the most renowned artists already existing in the scene.

I’ve been painting for just shy of 3 years, while being in the tattoo industry for the last 10 years. During COVID, it gave me a little free time to pick up some new tools and play around to see what I could create.

I work mainly with acrylic and a little bit of spray paint! I’ve never used a paintbrush. I’ve always snapped up bits of wood, rulers, or anything I can get my hands on. Slowly, I’m experimenting with palette knives, although my favourite tool at the moment is a trusty bread knife.

I love basing my works on obvious objects and seeing how far I can push them. I don’t really have a specific idea in mind other than getting really stuck in and seeing where it takes me. It’s how I work in all aspects of life, to be honest! Running amok with everything and just enjoying the process!

Hannah Thomas is an abstract painter, currently based in Wiltshire, UK. She attended the University of the West of England in Bristol, graduating with a BA Hons in Art and Visual Culture, and went on to pursue a career as a photographer, primarily working in the music sector in London. In 2019, she chose to transition to painting, seeking a creative medium with greater autonomy and creative control, one that allowed her to work with more tactility and immediacy.

Hannah’s work has sold to collectors in the UK and internationally. She recently won the VAA Scholarship & Exhibition Award and was commissioned to contribute a work painted on a reclaimed London bus panel for auction with 4bySix. She was included in the Ty Pawb Open exhibition in Wales and was shortlisted for this year’s Visual Art Open. She also took part in The Other Art Fair in London in October 2022.

Currently, Hannah is working out of her studio in Bradford on Avon and is participating in a correspondence course with Turps Art School starting in September.

I am an artist, born and raised in North West London, Kilburn to be precise. My graffiti and art life started when I was as young as 10 years old, and you could say I became slightly obsessed with it from that point on.

In more recent years, I've transitioned from painting on walls to canvas. I mainly paint cartoon graffiti-style images with a British twist, along with thought-provoking quotes and my street-level stuff.

Since a hugely successful first solo exhibition under my wing last year, I have been consistently creating work that relates to myself and my life up to this date.

Creating work becomes a necessary exhale, an answer to being bombarded with constant input of information in modern daily life. I find myself constantly people-watching, often observing the complete lack of awareness people have of their surroundings; the disconnect of humanity in this technologically minded, fast-paced culture; the vulnerability, humanity, and stories often overlooked.

Working with large-scale steel and using traditional oil painting techniques in combination with tattooing into the paint and metal allows me to explore these observations in a bold, confronting, and intimate way.

I aim to capture what it feels like to be alive in the 21st Century and invite viewers to join me in considering our own perceptions and experiences of ourselves and the world around us.

I started drawing and painting as a child and am entirely self-taught. Although self-taught, I have honed my skills through years of dedicated practice, experimentation, and a genuine passion for artistic expression.

The majority of my work is oil and acrylic plus collage on canvas. I tend to create chaotic and humorous scenes that depict vibrant and surreal landscapes, with references to religion, fairytales, and sci-fi.

I have produced a series of paintings which began with an interest in painting the sun and the moon; the rest of the matter naturally building itself up around that.

Neil Watson, an emerging artist from Bristol, captivates viewers with his fresh perspective on urban landscapes. Drawing inspiration from the vivacious street art scenes and the dynamic energy of the South West, Neil's artistic focus infuses life into his canvases.

Using oil as his chosen medium, Neil skillfully weaves his creative expression, embodying influences reminiscent of Edward Hopper's style. A self-taught artist, Neil reignited his passion for painting during lockdown, rekindling his artistic journey that began back in his school days.

Neil participated in this season's Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year held at Hever Castle in June 2023. His work seamlessly blends the vibrant spirit of Plein Air painting with a masterful interplay of colour, light, and energy, transforming landscapes into captivating works of art.

I am an artist, born and raised in North West London, Kilburn to be precise. My graffiti and art life started when I was as young as 10 years old, and you could say I became slightly obsessed with it from that point on.

In more recent years, I've transitioned from painting on walls to canvas. I mainly paint cartoon graffiti-style images with a British twist, along with thought-provoking quotes and my street-level stuff.

Since a hugely successful first solo exhibition under my wing last year, I have been consistently creating work that relates to myself and my life up to this date.