Marcus Nelson (b. 1997, Oxford, UK) lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Nelson uses his body as a means to confront the hidden angst embedded in wider society, through performances 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 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
BA Fine Art, Central Saint Martins School of Art, University of the Arts London, UK
2016 - 2017
Foundation Diploma, Kingston School of Art, London, Uk
Exhibitions
2025
Upcoming - Duo exhibition with Magnus Westwell at Number 1 Main Road, curated by Brooke Wilson, Berlin, DE
2024
Fools Are Everywhere, Passage, Hermannplatz U- bahn, Berlin, DE (Public Installation)
Urban Theatre, Ventana Project, Alt Templehof U- bahn, Berlin, DE (Public Installation)
2023
New Now (Part 1), Guts Gallery, London, UK (Group Exhibition)
PLOP Residency, London, UK (Residency)
A Tragedy in Three Acts with Tim Plamper, GROVE, Berlin, DE (Duo Exhibition)
The Other Side of Paradise, The Bomb Factory Art Foundation Marylebone, London, UK (Group Exhibition)
2022
Spread Museum, Entrevaux, France (Residency)
Lost Boys, Eve Leibe Gallery, London, UK (Solo Exhibition)
Hiraeth, Phillips, London, UK (Online Exhibition)
2021
Scar Tissue, The Bomb Factory Art Foundation Archway, London, UK (Solo Exhibition)
Behind the Glass, Boys Don’t Cry UK in collaboration with the Central Saint Martins Museum and Study Collection, London, UK (Museum Group Exhibition)
Don’t Go South, Studio Berkheim, Stuttgart, DE (Group Exhibition)
Human - ish, See You Next Thursday, New York, US, Curated by Maria Vogel (Online Exhibition)
2020
After Hours, Harlesden High Street, Southside Wandsworth, London, UK (Group Exhibition)
The Fores Project, London, UK (Residency)
2019
Speaking in Tongues, National Gallery, London, UK (Performance)
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 Magazine (IN PRINT + ONLINE)
︎ 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
BA Fine Art, Central Saint Martins School of Art, University of the Arts London, UK
2016 - 2017
Foundation Diploma, Kingston School of Art, London, Uk
Exhibitions
2025
Upcoming - Duo exhibition with Magnus Westwell at Number 1 Main Road, curated by Brooke Wilson, Berlin, DE
2024
Fools Are Everywhere, Passage, Hermannplatz U- bahn, Berlin, DE (Public Installation)
Urban Theatre, Ventana Project, Alt Templehof U- bahn, Berlin, DE (Public Installation)
2023
New Now (Part 1), Guts Gallery, London, UK (Group Exhibition)
PLOP Residency, London, UK (Residency)
A Tragedy in Three Acts with Tim Plamper, GROVE, Berlin, DE (Duo Exhibition)
The Other Side of Paradise, The Bomb Factory Art Foundation Marylebone, London, UK (Group Exhibition)
2022
Spread Museum, Entrevaux, France (Residency)
Lost Boys, Eve Leibe Gallery, London, UK (Solo Exhibition)
Hiraeth, Phillips, London, UK (Online Exhibition)
2021
Scar Tissue, The Bomb Factory Art Foundation Archway, London, UK (Solo Exhibition)
Behind the Glass, Boys Don’t Cry UK in collaboration with the Central Saint Martins Museum and Study Collection, London, UK (Museum Group Exhibition)
Don’t Go South, Studio Berkheim, Stuttgart, DE (Group Exhibition)
Human - ish, See You Next Thursday, New York, US, Curated by Maria Vogel (Online Exhibition)
2020
After Hours, Harlesden High Street, Southside Wandsworth, London, UK (Group Exhibition)
The Fores Project, London, UK (Residency)
2019
Speaking in Tongues, National Gallery, London, UK (Performance)
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 Magazine (IN PRINT + ONLINE)
︎ 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)