Mark Andrew Webber
My work is built on a mix of deep dives and quick experiments. I love the technical challenge of creating detailed typographic city maps—some of which have even ended up in the collections of design legends like Erik Spiekermann—but I also love the spontaneity of a five-minute sketch. For me, art is at its best when it’s about play and discovery rather than sticking to a rigid set of rules. I tend not to stick to one thing; if an idea feels interesting and fun, I’m going to explore it.
Over the years, I’ve found that documenting the process is just as important as the finished piece. Whether it’s my “Linomation” videos or the time I went viral on Creative Review while searching for a “massive printer” to handle a giant map, I like to keep a record of how things come together. Each project is an excuse to see what’s possible with a piece of lino and some ink. I don’t believe in specialization; I’d much rather be an explorer, moving between figurative work, large-scale maps, and animation.
That curiosity has taken me to some fantastic places. I’ve spent time in Nantes, France, for a typography and linocut exhibition at the Musée Imprimerie where I gave a talk on my practice, and I completed a month-long live-in studio residency in Dusseldorf. Closer to home, I’ve held residencies at the Oracle Shopping Centre and with Jelly in Reading, where I brought the printing process into public spaces. I even spent a week in a local cafe just drawing five-minute portraits of the people I met. These experiences are all about playing with visuals in new environments and seeing how the work shifts when you step outside the traditional studio.
I’ve also been lucky enough to share my process through lectures at places like the Tyne and Wear Museum and various universities. It’s been a rewarding journey that has included winning a Silver Cube from the Art Directors Club in New York and designing a 25th-anniversary milk glass for Ritzenhoff in Germany. My work has been featured in everything from People of Print to the BBC, but no matter the accolade, the heart of the practice remains the same: experimenting, carving, and seeing what happens.
This website is a collection of those interests. It’s informal, it’s always changing, and it’s a reflection of my belief that the best work happens when you’re just having a bit of fun. Whether you’re here for the maps, the figurative studies, or the latest “linomation” experiment, thanks for taking an interest in the journey.