Andy Parker & Bread Collection Presents:
Anarchy in Light: Mark Sloper on Punk, Power, and the Art of the Neon Relic
Sloper’s unique practice is an electrifying fusion of past and present, blending the raw, anti-establishment energy of 1970s British punk rock with the sophisticated craftsmanship of hand-blown neon and embellished fine art. Drawing on his youth spent touring with punk legends and his career directing music documentaries, Sloper transforms vintage materials, historic flags, and iconic portraits into luminous, defiant statements.
In this conversation, we delve into his journey from the Kings Road counterculture to the Saatchi Gallery, exploring how he uses light and historical artifacts to tell the powerful story of a generation.
Andy Parker: Your journey is unique: from being immersed in the 1970s punk scene and working as a cameraman/director for bands like the Sex Pistols and David Bowie. What inspired your shift from directing behind the camera to creating art full-time?
Mark Sloper: Working on a film or TV show involves a big team of highly paid creative personnel. I had over 10 employees and as I got to 40 I realised it was all too much keeping the circus going. At the end of every month I had big equipment leases and huge wage bills. I had Maserati sports cars, motorbikes and a captains’ licence for helicopters. Sat on the beach at my shack in Spain I had an epiphany to go back to art. I had trained at art school in Sheffield and came back to the UK and starting shaving back my TV/film company to concentrate in art. I knew from the outset it would be all good as I grew up in the artist community of St Ives and already understood the workings of the art business.
Andy: The name Illuminati Neon suggests a focus on light and hidden knowledge. What deeper, perhaps less obvious, messages are you trying to illuminate or reveal to the public through your finished pieces?
Mark: Every single piece I make has a story or message. Using the neon light is a great way to convey my messages to art collectors and the general art world. To illuminate or light up the world is my mission. Since being addicted to the travelling fairgrounds of my youth or the seedy red neons in Soho, I prefer a dark world lit up. A member of the House of Lords recently stated that one of my pieces of art conveyed a 1,000 words. Perhaps that’s why they use me to promote Great Britain around the world as their art ambassador.
Andy: What’s it like to work with glass, and where did you learn the craft?
Mark: It’s impossibly difficult to work with glass, even when you think you’ve finished a section it can crack on cooling. The breakage percentage is really high and even when finished it can be easily broken. I was friends with the King of Neon, Chris Bracey, of Gods Own Junkyard. The plan was for me to provide the punky art backdrops and Chris would add the neon. As soon as we got going Chris died of prostate cancer, so I carried on the neon elements. Chris had shown me the light and there was no going back to flat art.
Andy: Your "Punk Queen" portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is one of your most recognisable pieces. What sparked the inspiration behind it, and did you need any formal permission to create it?
Mark: The Queen herself saw my work in the window of a Piccadilly gallery. She sent her lady in waiting to collect a print. I heard nothing for three months and the lady in waiting returned and said the Queen thought my picture a hoot, but could I change the tattoo on her neck to match that of her bathrobes and slippers, which I duly did. I've since had to gift the Royals several pieces, No. 10 Downing Street, & UK embassies across the world.
Andy: What new materials, historical artifacts, or themes are you currently exploring in your West London studio, and what is the next installment you plan to illuminate with your neon art?
Mark: It’s 50 years of punk next year (1976-2026), so alongside a cinema documentary film I’ve made to celebrate it, I’m making some classic punk art neon pieces featuring the Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious, the Stranglers, and the Clash. I’ve also had a lifelong love of historical maps, so I’m producing some new artworks based on 19th century London, New York, Kings Road, Soho, etc.
See the Light
That wraps up our incredible conversation with Mark Sloper. His answers truly illuminate how his art is more than just beautiful light; it’s a powerful history lesson filtered through the raw, anti-establishment attitude of the punk movement. From navigating the impossible difficulty of glass to that hilarious, unexpected royal commission, who knew the Queen's preference for bathrobes would inspire a change in fine art iconography? We’re especially excited for his upcoming work celebrating 50 years of punk and the use of historical maps as new canvases.
If you’re inspired by the fusion of vintage history and contemporary rebellion, you can find a curated selection of Mark Sloper’s Illuminati Neon pieces available for acquisition right now. Head over to the artist and artworks section of our website to view these electrifying, narrative-driven works and bring a piece of London’s anarchic history into your own space.