Woman, Mask and Man in Top Hat Painting

1953 born, Romford, Essex. 1979 founder member of The Medway Poets. 1999 co-founded the Stuckists art group (pro-painting, anti-conceptual art) 2000-20 organised anti-Turner Prize demos at Tate Britain 2001 stood in the General Election against Chris Smith, Culture Minister. Briefly married to Stella Vine 2002-06 Director of the Stuckism International Gallery in Shoreditch 2005 instigated press controversy over the purchase by the Tate of its trustee Chris Ofili's work, The Upper Room 2008 Launched online petition to the prime minister not to reappoint Sir Nicholas Serota as Tate gallery director: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/tatedirectorI I sold my first artwork age five and have been doing creative things most of my life, writing, painting, organising events. I paint what is important to me and this is emotionally and instinctively driven. I want to make direct images that people can relate to.