Very sad to hear of the passing of Mark Pawson today. A unique figure on the counter cultural art and publishing scene who I would regularly see at zine fairs and the like. His was always the most interesting stall with the most bizarre underground books and comics from all over the world. I’d end up buying some beautifully screen printed French comics from him, the likes of which you’d never see anywhere else and would never see again if you didn’t buy them there and then.
I first got to know Mark in the early 90s when he was around on the scene when I worked at Ambient Soho, he was the badge man who would make all sorts of badges for the shop, and our Telepathic Fish parties. I still have a load of badges he made using my Openmind logo and was going to get him to make more this summer for the release of a record. He’d sell artbooks and badges he made of his own work using photocopiers and also made badges featuring Negativland and Bob Dobbs.
His classic ‘Mark’s Little Book of Kinder Eggs’ and book of plug wirings were always in print and I think the ‘Assume This Phone Is Tapped’ sticker was also one of his. There are phrases I’ll always associate with his work like ‘Aggressive School of Cultural Workers’, ‘Demolish Serious Culture’, ‘Book Shops Not Bombs’ and ‘N©’. He belonged to the anti-establishment DIY scene who used whatever they could to make art, was involved in The Exploding Cinema early on as well as the international mail art scene. It’s shocking to know he’s gone, a truly one of a kind figure. I’m sad I won’t bump into him at the fairs any more. RIP Mark
Mark was a frequent visitor to our place when we lived in London. He would often bike over from Hackney to Lambeth to deliver a 100 badges for some mail art project or other – squashed cornflakes? Bits of string? stains? yes, Mark would endevour to make badges with all kinds of weird glued stuff! He was a miracle at making them look pretty nifty and we’d have the bonus of his company for an hour or so – having lunch or dinner before he set off for Hackney again. We have very fond memories of our mail art meetings and chats over the years from 1982 onwards. We can’t quite believe he has gone and we’ll never get those brightly colours stickered envelopes full of goodies dropping onto our doormat. ever again. All the best, Michael Leigh and Hazel Jones.
I didn’t know Mark, but I knew his work from those Negativland badges. I picked up several of them when I saw them play last June. He sounds like the kind of person I would have liked to know, and the kind of creative person this world could use more. May his memory live on.
I wish I knew, hope it gets saved somehow
His rubberstamp book is a classic.
Would quite like the KInder egg and plug book…
What will happen to all his stuff?
Who is disposing of his estate?
Sad news and thanks for putting together a great post with some wonderful examples of his work… He was always keeping us well stocked up with his wares at the These Records shops in Stockwell and then Elephant and similarly did some badges and other graphic work for us, always a true gent and a great sense of humour – similarly if you hear about a funeral and/or wake would be grateful of the info – safe journeys Mark xx
So sad to hear this news of the passing of a dear friend and art activist.
Mark was a gentle, witty soul and will be missed by many.
If anyone has any information on when and where the funeral will be then please pass it on as we would like to pay our respects.
Vinnie.
So sad to hear this news of the passing of a dear friend and art comrade.
Mark was a gentle, witty soul and will be missed by many.
If anyone has any information on when and where the funeral will be then please pass it on as we would like to pay our respects.
Vinnie.