How did your artistic journey start?
Well, it’s certainly been a long journey – but it definitely started through my interest in music and being inspired by early album cover artwork.

How did you arrive at the theme of your work?
I don’t specifically work to a theme; it just seems to organically develop through everyday observation and culture.

Can you walk us through your creative process?
The process kind of just evolves and is usually inspired by an image or texture. This will then go through various experimental stages and processes until it starts to shape into something interesting. This way of working is not precious and allows for the work to be dismantled, turned upside down, reassembled, scanned, photographed, or reworked into a new piece.

How has your practice changed over time?
The work is now more intuitive and experimental, exploring ideas, and working quickly to avoid any preconceptions of what the piece could be while incorporating and accepting mistakes in the work.

How do you overcome creative blocks?
Listening to music can really help to inspire ideas.

Who influences you? Which other artists work do you love? 
Right now, I am being inspired by people such as Shinro Ohtake, Russell Mills and the early work of David Hiscock and Mike & Doug Starn.

What advice would you give to artists who are just starting out?
I think that it’s really important to be yourself and to find the passion and enjoyment for the work you are producing.

You can see more of Stephen’s work on Instagram @art369.co.uk

Our Winter Show, Warm Voices, runs at Six Foot Gallery until 9 January 2024.