Marcus Nelson (b. 1997, Oxford, UK) lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Nelson uses his body as a means to confront the hidden agnst embedded in wider society, through movements that embrace physical theatre, creating a space where raw, unfiltered expression can break free. The architectural spaces he engages with, whether theatres, arenas, or the urban environment–are crucial in amplifying this emotional release. The outcome of Nelson’s work is informed by private performances, and takes shape in painting, installation, and film. The vulnerability revealed through his own body allows him to pursue something immediate, unguarded, and authentic, offering a space for the viewer to confront themselves in turn.
CV
Education
2017 - 2021 - Central Saint Martins School of Art, University of the Arts London - BA Fine Art.
2016 - 2017 - Kingston School of Art, Foundation Diploma.
Solo Exhibitions
2022 - Lost Boys, Eve Leibe Gallery, London, U.K.
2021 - Scar Tissue, The Bomb Factory Art Foundation Archway, London, U.K.
Public Installations
2024 - Fools Are Everywhere, Passage, Hermannplatz U- bahn, Berlin, Germany.
2024 - Urban Theatre, Ventana Project, Alt Templehof U- bahn, Berlin, Germany.
2019 - Speaking in Tongues, National Gallery, London, U.K.
Duo Exhibitions
2023 - A Tragedy in Three Acts with Tim Plamper, GROVE, Berlin, Germany.
Museum Exhibitions
2021 - Behind the Glass, Boys Don’t Cry UK in collaboration with the Central Saint Martins Museum and Study Collection (group exhibition), London, U.K.
Group Exhibitions
2023 - New Now (Part 1), Guts Gallery, London, U.K.
2023 - The Other Side of Paradise, The Bomb Factory Art Foundation Marylebone, London, U.K
2022 - Hiraeth, Phillips, Online Exhibition.
2021 - Don’t Go South, Studio Berkheim, Stuttgart, Germany
2021 - Human - ish , See You Next Thursday Online, Curated by Maria Vogel.
2020 - After Hours, Harlesden High Street, Southside Wandsworth, London, U.K.
Residencies
2023 - PLOP Residency, London, U.K.
2022 - Spread Museum, Entrevaux, France.
2020 - The Fores Project, London, U.K.
Selected Press
Winter 2024 - Featured in: “Notes From The Underground- An Unlikely Venue Is Growing In Popularity In Berlin’s Art Space: Berlin’s U-Bahn Stations”, in The Berliner (IN PRINT)
︎ Summer 2024 - “Marcus Nelson Discusses His New Work and Exhibition, ‘FOOLS ARE EVERYWHERE’, Interview with Art Plugged (ONLINE)
︎ Winter 2023 - “Marcus Nelson in depth on his art, violence and his fascination with darkness”, Interview with Overstandard (ONLINE)
︎ Autumn 2023 - “The Meaning of a Circle”, Interview with Hannah Weidner and Tim Plamper for Curatorial Affairs (ONLINE)
Spring 2023 - “Hungry” Series, interview with HUNGER Magazine (IN PRINT)
︎ Spring 2023 - “Punk, Blowjobs and Britain: go see this hardcore exhibition”, Interview with The Face Magazine (ONLINE)
︎ Spring 2023 - “Ten’s to See: The Other Side of Paradise at The Bomb Factory Marylebone”, interview with 10 Magazine (ONLINE)
︎ Spring 2022 - “Boxing and Painting Have More In Common Than People Realise”, interview with Why Now World (ONLINE)
︎ Autumn 2021 - “The Return of Figurative Painting”, Time Out London (ONLINE)
︎Summer 2021 - “Marcus Nelson’s Art is Tackling Men’s Mental Health Head On”, interview with The Face (ONLINE)
︎Summer 2021 - “Marcus Nelson Examines The Ideals of Masculinity”, interview with Art Plugged (ONLINE)
︎Summer 2020 - “Marcus Nelson - Relating To Our Intertwined Inner Worlds”, interview with DATEAGLE ART (ONLINE)
CV
Education
2017 - 2021 - Central Saint Martins School of Art, University of the Arts London - BA Fine Art.
2016 - 2017 - Kingston School of Art, Foundation Diploma.
Solo Exhibitions
2022 - Lost Boys, Eve Leibe Gallery, London, U.K.
2021 - Scar Tissue, The Bomb Factory Art Foundation Archway, London, U.K.
Public Installations
2024 - Fools Are Everywhere, Passage, Hermannplatz U- bahn, Berlin, Germany.
2024 - Urban Theatre, Ventana Project, Alt Templehof U- bahn, Berlin, Germany.
2019 - Speaking in Tongues, National Gallery, London, U.K.
Duo Exhibitions
2023 - A Tragedy in Three Acts with Tim Plamper, GROVE, Berlin, Germany.
Museum Exhibitions
2021 - Behind the Glass, Boys Don’t Cry UK in collaboration with the Central Saint Martins Museum and Study Collection (group exhibition), London, U.K.
Group Exhibitions
2023 - New Now (Part 1), Guts Gallery, London, U.K.
2023 - The Other Side of Paradise, The Bomb Factory Art Foundation Marylebone, London, U.K
2022 - Hiraeth, Phillips, Online Exhibition.
2021 - Don’t Go South, Studio Berkheim, Stuttgart, Germany
2021 - Human - ish , See You Next Thursday Online, Curated by Maria Vogel.
2020 - After Hours, Harlesden High Street, Southside Wandsworth, London, U.K.
Residencies
2023 - PLOP Residency, London, U.K.
2022 - Spread Museum, Entrevaux, France.
2020 - The Fores Project, London, U.K.
Selected Press
Winter 2024 - Featured in: “Notes From The Underground- An Unlikely Venue Is Growing In Popularity In Berlin’s Art Space: Berlin’s U-Bahn Stations”, in The Berliner (IN PRINT)
︎ Summer 2024 - “Marcus Nelson Discusses His New Work and Exhibition, ‘FOOLS ARE EVERYWHERE’, Interview with Art Plugged (ONLINE)
︎ Winter 2023 - “Marcus Nelson in depth on his art, violence and his fascination with darkness”, Interview with Overstandard (ONLINE)
︎ Autumn 2023 - “The Meaning of a Circle”, Interview with Hannah Weidner and Tim Plamper for Curatorial Affairs (ONLINE)
Spring 2023 - “Hungry” Series, interview with HUNGER Magazine (IN PRINT)
︎ Spring 2023 - “Punk, Blowjobs and Britain: go see this hardcore exhibition”, Interview with The Face Magazine (ONLINE)
︎ Spring 2023 - “Ten’s to See: The Other Side of Paradise at The Bomb Factory Marylebone”, interview with 10 Magazine (ONLINE)
︎ Spring 2022 - “Boxing and Painting Have More In Common Than People Realise”, interview with Why Now World (ONLINE)
︎ Autumn 2021 - “The Return of Figurative Painting”, Time Out London (ONLINE)
︎Summer 2021 - “Marcus Nelson’s Art is Tackling Men’s Mental Health Head On”, interview with The Face (ONLINE)
︎Summer 2021 - “Marcus Nelson Examines The Ideals of Masculinity”, interview with Art Plugged (ONLINE)
︎Summer 2020 - “Marcus Nelson - Relating To Our Intertwined Inner Worlds”, interview with DATEAGLE ART (ONLINE)