Marcus Jefferies

Marcus Jefferies was born in Bristol, UK, and studied fine art at Wimbledon School of Art, London. He currently works and lives in Bristol and is based at Spike Island Studios. Jefferies maintains a diverse practise that incorporates painting, sculpture, installation and design. Each field of interest informs the other to create intertwining relationships. The built environment often forms a backdrop to his work where new narratives evolve through the exploration of site, scale and memory.

In addition to his individual practice, Marcus regularly collaborates with artist Colin Higginson on multimedia installations. They are currently working on a major public art commission from Bristol City Council, creating sculptures and design features for a new primary school in Hartcliffe, Bristol.

Works

The Wilderness Tower

2020, Sharpham, Somerset. Sculpture, Wildlife Hide, Installation.

The Wilderness Tower has been commissioned by Adam Williams Design to sit in the land surrounding their Somerset studios. The sculpture is located at Glastonbury Heath marshes, renowned for its peat production and spectacular wildlife habitat.

The installation has a practical purpose – transforming from sculpture into a viewing platform for wildlife. It is a contemporary folly and a monument to brutalist architecture and design.

Outpost

2017, Somerset Levels, installation.

Outpost acts as both a sculptural installation and an exhibiting space for artists to make site-specific artworks.

Outpost draws inspiration from the agricultural architecture of the local area, referencing water towers, storage silos, and bird hides. It also takes on the presence of a watchtower silently surveilling the surrounding landscape.

Digital Renders

Paintings

Collaboration

Marcus Jefferies and Colin Higginson have been collaborating on a regular basis since 2011. Their work explores the relationship between Architecture and memory through the production of sculpture, photography and installation. Their working process often begins with the transformation of an archive image into an immersive, interactive environment – creating new narratives through reimagining the recent past.

CV

BA hons Wimbledon School of Art, London, 1990-93

2020 – The Wilderness Tower – Sculpture /installation/bird hide, Sharpham, Somerset. Commissioned by Adam Williams Design.
2020 – ’Something Orange’ – online show, Test Space, Spike Island, Bristol.
2019 – Public Art Commission Abbotscroft Development – Collaboration with Colin Higginson, produced by Studio Response
2018 – Public Art Commission M V Academy Bristol – collaboration with Colin Higginson, produced by Pony Projects.
2018 – Outpost – Sculpture/installation, Host, Bradford on Tone, Taunton, Somerset.
2017 – Phase 3 installation,Plymouth Contemporary, Karst, collaboration with Colin Higginson.
2017 – ‘The Rules of Exchange’ – performance/sculpture/installation, Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol, collaboration with Colin Higginson.
2016 – ‘Vista’ – group show, Gallery 8, St James, London.
2015 – Bristol Art Weekender, The Kiosk Project, installation, souvenirs, posters. Collaboration with Colin Higginson.
2015 – Public Art Commission, Bristol City Council, Hannah More Primary School.
2014 – Test Space Open, Spike Island, Bristol.