Stuart Mayes, photo: Daniel Ekbladh, 2022
Solo Exhibitions
Departure and Arrival, Arboga, Köping, and Kungsör train stations, Västmanland, 2023
Rest, Enköping konsthall [with Klas Hällerstrand], 2022
Transformer, Galleri 1, Uppsala, 2022
Mr Dandy Blue’s Lepidopterarium, Flat Octopus’ Exhibition Case, Stockholm, 2021
MOCA_WE, www.moca.london, 2021
M - mötesplats – curator Henny Linn Kjellberg, Konstkuben, Uppsala, 2019
Hit. Two person show with Klas Hällerstrand, Målhammar Gallery, Sweden, 2018
Go-Go. Konstfönster Joar, Enköping., 2016 *
Following Eugène [live work], Thielska Gallery, Stockholm, 2015
Passage. Wip:konsthall, Stockholm, 2015
Ljusfältet. Årstafältet and Wip:sthlm konsthall, Stockholm, 2011 – 12 *
Play. MOCA, London, 2010
Go-Go. m2 Gallery, London, 2009 *
Open House. Quay House, London, 2009
Brief Encounter. Nordisk Kunst Plattform, Brusand, Norway, 2008
Studio work. Parfitt Gallery, Croydon College, Surrey, UK, 2005
Guide. St Mary’s Church, Bow Road, London, 2001
Service [live work]. CCA, Glasgow,1999
‘ exhibition catalogue/publication available
Group Exhibitions
Uppsala Print Workshop, Medical History Museum, Uppsala, 2024
Minsta möjligt, Uppsala Artists’ Club, Uppsala, 2024
Verdandi Spring Biennale, Uppsala, 2024
Liljevalchs Vårsalong – selectors Ashik Zaman, Tawanda Appiah, Peder Fredicsson, Johanna Sandell Wright (gallery director), Liljevalchs, Stockholm, 2024 *
Boundless Knowledge, Stora Magasinet, Lövstabruk, Uppland, 2023
Uppländska Salong – curator Sara Rossling, Uppsala Art Museum, 2022
Cosmos Hotel, Total Dobze, Riga, Latvia, 2022
Salongen 22, BizArt, Uppsala., selector Bella Rune, 2022
m2 Artists: Recent Work, ASC Gallery, London, 2022
Insyn [live work with Molly Mattlar] – curator Alba Folgado, Enköping, 2021
Adelante, Centre for Sport and Culture, Knivsta, 2021
Lek på allvar – curator Martina MacQueen, Kulturhuset Möbeln, Tierp, 2021
Under samma regnbåge, (curator) Uppsala Art Museum, 2020
MOCA Focus, web event., 2020
Tinget i sig, Tegen 2, Stockholm, 2019
Husets Kropp. Källör, Östhammar. Curator Katarina Sundsqvist Zohari, 2019
Konsten att delta, Enköpings Konsthall, Enköping, 2018
HUB 2.0. Konstnärshuset, Stockholm, 2018 *
Öppen salong, Enköpings Konsthall, Enköping, 2018
Fyra konstnärer, Konstrum Drott, Enköping, 2018
m2 (at) 15. APT Gallery, London, 2018 *
Made Up. The Glasgow Art Club, Glasgow. Curator Alan Bond, 2017
Öppen salong, Enköpings konsthall, Enköping, 2017
Kulturstipendie utställning, Off Konst!, City Theatre Uppsala, 2017
Vår konst, Konst runda, Enköping, 2017
Hot-housing [live work], Supermarket Art Fair, Stockholm, 2017
Höstglöd. Biblioteket, Enköping, 2016
Immerse. Kino Kino, Sandnes, Norway. Curator Roberto Ekholm, 2016 *
The Cat Café at the Sunday Run_up. Svarta Huset, Telefonplan, Stockholm, 2016
Akt 2 [live work], Flykingen, Stockholm, 2015
Take a Walk on the Wild Side. Mindepartmentet, Stockholm, 2015 *
Fredrick Kiesler: Visions at Work Annotated by Céline Condorelli and six Student Groups. Tensta Konsthall, Stockholm, 2015
The Rest of Us. Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm, 2014
A Question of Sport – curator Michael Petry. Clifford Chance, London, 2012 *
Quadruple Energy. M2 Pavilion at Chelsea School of Art, London, 2011
Gilding the Lily. Transition Gallery, Regent Studios, London, 2011
Supermarket Art Fair [with MOCA London] Kulturhuset, Stockholm, 2011 *
Hazard Perception: Part 2. Charlie Dutton Gallery, London, 2010
Stonewall: 40 Years On – curator Michael Petry. Clifford Chance, London, 2009 *
Schmatte Couture. Ben Uri; The London Jewish Museum of Art/Rivington Gallery, London, 2008
Golden Rain: Michael Petry project, Stavanger, Norway, 2008 *
Forensic. The Space In Between: Leeroy Street, London, 2008
Life is Only Half the Story. Christ’s Church, Spitalfields, London, 2008
Pilot 3. ZAIM Project Space, Yokohama, Japan, 2008*
Day of Intimacy for Signals. Crystal Palace, London,2008
Hunters & Collectors. The Gallery at Willesden Green, London, 2007
Pilot 3. Triangle Gallery, Chelsea School of Art, London, 2007
Pilot 3 Venice Biennale Project [nominated by David Barrett, Art Monthly]. SS Cosmo e Damiano, Italy, 2007 *
Signals. Crystal Palace, London, 2005
Six Thousand Chairs. Crystal Palace Park, London, 2004
It’s Surreal. Stroud House Gallery, Stroud, Gloucester, UK, 2004.
Signals.Crystal Palace, London, 2004
Mirror to Nature. Seven Seven at Mile End Art Pavilion, London, 2003 *
Signals.Crystal Palace, London, 2003
Living with Art. Rivington Gallery, London, 2003
Changing Rooms. Sherborne House, Dorset, UK, 2002
Domestically Spaced. Space Station 65, East Dulwich, London, 2002
Inside Out. Museum of Domestic Architecture, Middlesex University, London, 2002
Signal. Antenna Studios, Crystal Palace, London, 2002
Giant, Unit 16, Three Mills Island, London, 2001
Hands-on. Sherborne House, Dorset, UK, 2001.
Frozen Progress [live work]. Royal Geographic Society, London, 2001
Project George. High Street Project, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1999 *
We’ll Nice You Up. Cleveland Gallery, Cleveland Street, London, 1997
Masters’ Show. The Slade School of Fine Art, London. 1997 *
Bound. Commercial Too, London, 1996
You, Me, & HIV. Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1994*
Queer Glow [live work]. CCA Glasgow, Scotland, 1994
Art of Out [artist and curator]. LGBT Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1993
Outright Art. LGBT Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1992
Graduate Exhibition. Dartington College of Arts, Totnes, Devon, UK, 1990
Sensible Bedfellows. Derriford NHS Hospital, Plymouth, UK, 1990
‘ exhibition catalogue/publication available
Studio, Hospitalet, Uppsala
Education
MA Fine Art Media. The Slade School of Fine Art, London, 1998
BA Hons (first class) Art & Social Context. Dartington College of Arts, Totnes, UK, 1990
Representation
Galleri Artem, Vikingagatan 24, 113 42 Stockholm
Professional courses
Architectural Theory and History post-graduate research programme. Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm, 2015
Project Programme. Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm, 2014
Making Matter (Artistic research). Konstfack, Stockholm, 2013
Introduction to Artistic research. Konstfack, Stockholm, 2013
Awards & Commissions
Project award, Uppsala Council, Sweden, 2023
Project award, Enköping Council, Sweden, 2022
Artist’s Grant, Region Uppsala, Sweden, 2017
Ljusfältet. Commissioned by Wip:sthlm and Nätwerk Årstafältet, financed by Stockholm City, 2011
Collection. Commissioned by 6000 Chairs, funded by Arts Council England, London, 2004
Collections
Uppsala City, 2021
Statens konstråd: Public Art Agency Sweden, 2021
Tierp District Council; Sweden, 2021
Ben Uri; The London Jewish Museum of Art, London, 2008
Private collections in Sweden and UK
residencies
Köttinspektionen, Uppsala, Sweden, 2024
Micro-residency with Elena Thomas, Ateljeföreningen Hospitalet, Uppsala, 2024
Black Hole residency, Total Dobze Art Centre, Riga, Latvia, 2022
International Artists residency. Wip:sthlm, Stockholm, Sweden, 2009
Visiting Artist. Nordisk Kunst Plattform, Bresand, Norway, 2008
Publications
Public Art Handbook for council commissions, Public Art Angecy Sweden, 2024
Engage 22: Young People and Agency, Three Artists’ Views, ed. Karen Raney, Engage, London. 2008
Enquire – About Learning in Galleries: Inspiring Learning in Galleries, ed. Barbara Taylor, Engage, London. 2006
Learning in the Gallery: context, process, outcomes, Emily Pringle, Engage, London. 2006.
professional memberships
Konstcentrum öst, artists organisation
KRO National Artists’ Organisation, Sweden
UKK Uppsala Artists’ Club, Sweden
Current employment
Curatorial technician, Region Uppsala, Sweden, 2023 –
Meetings coordinator, Supermarket Stockholm Independent Art Fair, 2020 –
Academic posts
Course co-leader: Introduction to Artistic Research. Professional practice course, Konstfack, Stockholm, 2014
Senior lecturer: Widening Participation, University for the Creative Arts, Surrey, UK (fixed term), 2008/9
Lecturer, Art and Design History and Theory, Middlesex University, London, 1997 – 99
Seminar tutor, Contextual studies, Central and St Martins College of Art, London, 1996 – 98
Visiting lecturer:
Project Year, Wiks Public University, Uppsala, 2022
Fine Art Textiles, Individual project supervision.. KDH, Gothenburg, Sweden, 2014
Visualising the Body: Artistic practice for doctors and surgeons. King’s College Hospital, London. 2001 – 2002
Live Art and Installation. University of Central England, Birmingham, UK. 1997 – 2000
Guest lecturer:
Phd Candidates. University of the Arts Stockholm, 2014
Research Inquiry programme. Konstfack, Stockholm, 2013
Fine & Applied Arts undergraduate programme. Middlesex University, London, 2010
Graduate programme. Architecture Faculty, Technische Universitat, Berlin, Germany, 2008
Art Foundation Studies. Croydon College, Croydon, Surrey, UK, 2005
Artist educator
Creative Schools, Uppsala City Council in collaboration with Uppsala Art Museum, 2023
Summer School, Uppsala Art Museum, 2021
Under the Same Rainbow HBTQ+ youth project. Uppsala-City’s Public Art Department, Uppsala, Sweden, 2020
Arts Education Officer. Enköping Council, Enköping, Sweden, 2017 – 2024
Snow sculpture. Nätwerk Årstafältet, Stockholm, 2010/11
Enquire Project: Learning in Galleries. Bow Arts Trust, Whitechapel Gallery, Chisenhale Gallery, Engage. London, 2005/6
Freelance artist educator with Bow Arts Trust and Bromley Council, UK, 2001 – 06
editorial work
Editorial Board, Supermarket Art Fair magazine, Stockholm, 2020 to date
Proofreader and Language Editor, Supermarket Art Fair, Stockholm, 2012 to date
Contextual Projects Editor, eyestorm.com, London, 2001 – 01
Rites of Passage: Vikki Oppenhiem-Blum Travel Award, London, 1998
The Slade Journal, Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, 1997
Management Committees
Uppsala Artists’ Club, chair 2022 – 24, committee member 2020 – 22
Gymnastiskhus Artists’ Studios, treasurer, 2018 – 2022
Konstfrämjandet Uppland, 2018 –2022
Enköping’s Arts Association, 2016 – 22
Wip Gallery, Stockholm, 2012 –15
Crystal Palace Artists, London, chair and founding member, 2004 – 10
Bow Arts Trust, London, 1998 – 2000
Art of Out, Edinburgh, 1993 – 95
Studio, Hospitalet, Uppsala
Biography
1968 Born March 26, Hullbridge on Crouch, Essex, UK. Eldest son of Valerie and Anthony Mayes (secretary and secondary school teacher). A brother, Ian, is born 1970.
1973/4 The family spends the academic year on a teacher’s exchange programme in Williamstown, Massachusetts USA.
1984 Stuart leaves Greensward Secondary School with four ’o’ level qualifications including art at grade ’C’. Whilst at the school Stuart designs its three acorn logo which is still in use.
1986 Achieves ’a’ levels in art, sociology and psychology from the South East Essex VIth form College.
1987 Art Foundation Studies at Southend on Sea Technical College, Essex. During the course Stuart’s focus shifts from fashion & textiles to fine art. His tutors include Roxanne Permar who nutures Stuart’s interest in issue-based and political contemporary arts practices, and suggests he applies to study Art & Social Context at Dartington College of Arts, Totnes, Devon.
1990 The move to Dartington marks three years of creative experimentation, academic research and self discovery. Whilst at college Stuart comes out as gay. Having specialised in sculpture with tutors Sheila Clayton and Rose Garrard, Stuart is awarded a BA (Hons) first class degree.
On graduation Stuart and a college friend move to Edinburgh, Scotland. After two years as an assistant buyer for Jenners’ department store Stuart leaves to pursue a career in community arts working with Magic Lantern Van and the Solas Arts Project.
1995 Moves to London to accept a place on Stuart Brisley’s Fine Art Media MA course at the Slade School of Art. Contemporaries and friends include David Barrett, Marcia Farquhar, Tomoko Takahashi, Dryden Goodwin,
1997 Begins as seminar tutor for ceramic and product design students at Central and St Martin’s School of Art London.
Due to the deaths of two close friends Stuart defers his graduation for a year.
1998 Receives his Master of Arts from the Slade for his end of year show and dissertation on three artistic practices concerning personal and political responses to HIV and AIDS.
Takes a studio at Bow Arts Trust, London.
Teaches art and design history at Middlesex School of Art for graphic design and illustration students. The following year he and a colleague launch the ’Hybrid works’ module looking at issue-based and trans-disciplinary artistic practice.
2000 Invited to be Contextual Projects editor at eyestorm.com
Moves to Crystal Palace (south London) where he becomes one of the founding members of the Crystal Palace Artists’ group together with Tine Bech, Lene Bladbjerg, Jodi Jones, Carlos Cortes.
2001 Begins as an artist in schools with projects in London’s east end and Bromley.
Meets John Braddon an Englishman raised by his Swedish mother in Stockholm.
2002 Stuart and John begin living together at Stuart’s apartment in Crystal Palace. They make the first of many trips to Stockholm to visit John’s family and friends.
Relocates studio to Harry Day Mews, West Norwood, where he share the top floor of an old depository with Tine Bech, Nicky Hayes, Susan Stockwell, Derek Curtis and Rupert Burt.
2003 John is diagnosed with Motor Nuerone Disease. The illness progresses relatively rapidly and Stuart is increasingly involved in caring for John.
2005 John’s illness demands that he moves to a wheelchair adapted apartment where he receives professional 24-hour care. Stuart spends many evenings a week staying with John in Brixton.
2007 Begins artist’s blog ‘Project Me’ for Artists’ Newsletter. The blog later becomes the magazine’s longest running blog.
Whilst attending the Venice Biennale Stuart meets Francois Kahn, art enthusiast and collector.
12 December, John dies at home with Stuart by his side.
2008 Stuart visits John’s mother in Stockholm and decides to spend the following summer in Sweden. On returning to London he starts making contacts with various studio groups and artists’ organisations hoping to secure a residency in Sweden.
A friend of a friend of John, Ulrica Cederström, invites Stuart to their annual crayfish party on an island in the Stockholm archipelago. The weekend becomes an annual feature of Stuart’s summer.
2009 Despite having no concrete plans Stuart embarks on a three month stay in Stockholm. Within a week he has accepted the international residency studio at Wip:sthlm – Sweden’s largest studio association. Other studio holders include Maria Meisenberger, Hannah Ljungh, Stina Rosenberg, Mats Olofgörs, Emma Hartman, and Erik Sigerud.
Stuart begins a relationship with Hampus - a textile designer. For the next two years Stuart divides his time between London and Stockholm.
At Wip:sthlm Stuart becomes friends with artist and activist Birgitta Adolfsson. Birgitta invites Stuart to be one of the lead artists for a children’s snow sculpture project in February 2010.
2011 In September Stuart leaves London for Stockholm. He moves in with Hampus in his apartment on the south side of Södermalm.
In December Stuart returns to Wip.sthlm where he sublets a studio. He joins the Wip gallery management committee. He also enrolls for ‘Swedish for immigrants’ and begins to study the language.
2012 The relationship with Hampus ends and Stuart takes a room in the family home of his friend Ulrica. He helps with her young children while continuing to study Swedish and investigating the Swedish art scene.
At an evening workshop at the Royal Institute of Art Stockholm Stuart meets artist Anna Hesselgren who suggests that he looks at the Introduction to Artistic Research course at the Konstfack School of Art and Design. On the course he becomes friends with artists Antonie Grahamsdaughter, Karin Gustavsson and Lott Alfreds.
2013 Stuart completes the Introduction to Artistic Research course with tutor Rolf Hughes and enrolls on the subsequent Making Matters course.
Stuart is also accepted on the Professional Project Programme at the Royal Institute of Art Stockholm where his sculpture project is supervised by Amanda Newall. He meets glass artist Fredrik Nielsen while working in the glass studio, as well as Mattias Bäcklin, Pontus Petterson, Fredrik Eriksson, Olle Norås and Rebecka Bebben Andersson. Stuart works with glass for the first time and presents three glass sculptures for the end of year show (spring 2014).
2014 As part of Peter Lang’s Walk on the Wild Side course in the department of Architectural History and Theory at the Royal Institute of Art Stuart begins an ongoing series of works under the umbrella title ’Following Eugène’. These pieces take inspiration from the life and work of artist Eugène Jansson (Stockholm 1862 – 1914).
By chance Stuart meets Tim Mårtenson, Scandinavia’s only plume-maker, who offers him work assisting with producing Lars Waliin’s costumes for the musical Chicago at Stockholm’s City Theater. Tim’s studio is the countryside outside of Enköping, an hour north of Stockholm.
Karin Gustavsson invites Stuart to be a visiting supervisor for second year textile art students’ projects at HDK Gothenburg.
Rolf Hughes puts forward Stuart and another former student of his Anna Källblad as course leaders at Konstfack when he takes up a post at the newly established University of the Arts Stockholm. Stuart and Anna run two successful terms of Introduction to Artistic Research.
Stuart finishes the Swedish Language courses.
2015 Stuart moves to Enköping where he is more easily able to work with Tim.
2016 At a council event for artists Stuart meets the Art & Culture department. He proposes an installation for a large window in the council’s library building. The proposal is successful and developed into a permanent window gallery, Stuart is invited to be curator for the first year. His exhibition programme (2017) includes Julia Manheim and Ken Taylor (London), Karin Gustavsson, Anna Hesselgren, Birgitta Adolfsson and Lott Alfreds.
In discussion with Klas Hällerstrand, arts development officer for Enköping council, they realise that they sublet the same studio at Wip:sthlm five years previously.
2017 Establishes a shared studio with Klas. The studio is in a former car repair garage and despite their best attempts it proves too cold, damp and dark to be a viable studio and they begin looking elsewhere.
The spring and summer are spent working for the local parks department before taking up a half time post as the arts education officer for Enköping council.
2018 In spring Stuart and Klas move their studios to the lower ground floor of the old gymnastic hall on Krykogatan, Enköping. They invite other artists to also make studios there.
Late summer Stuart launches Glitter Ball showroom & projects in the space adjacent to his studio. Artists including Fredrik Nielsen, Antonie Grahamsdaughter, Anna Liljas, Maria Nöremark and Felice Hapetzeder exhibited during the first year.
Stuart’s application to join the Uppsala Artists’ Club is successful. He is one of five of the year’s new members welcomed at the club member’s autumn meeting.
2019 18 January Stuart becomes a Swedish citizen.
In September Stuart accepts a permanent contract as Arts Education Officer (half-time) with Enköping Council.
2021 Stuart takes an additional studio in Uppsala with Hospitalet ateljéförening : The Hospital Studio Association, Ulleråker. The association provides 35 studios for professional visual artists and a number of studios for writers, performers and musicians. the former hospital bulding is also home to an artists collective, an arts organisation, and recently launched print workshop.
2022 Moves to Uppsala - the Svartbäck neighbourhood - and leaves the Enköping studio. Stuart is elected as chair of the Uppsala Artists’ Club.
2023 Stuart cuts short a year long sabbatical to accept the half-time role of curating technician for Region Uppsala’s art department..
2024 Invited to join Galleri Artem’s artists’ roster.