CREATIVE BOOM
How Stuart Semple is working to democratise art education and creativity
Stuart Semple talks with Tom May
JULY 2024

Leading British artist Stuart Semple is on a mission to make art education and creative expression accessible to all through an innovative free online art school. Yes, you read that right: it’s absolutely free, and there are no strings attached.
Through this innovative project, Stuart is challenging the traditional art world and empowering a new generation of artists. So, I was keen to chat with him about how it came about, how budding artists can get involved, and how it fits in with his broader mission as an artist.
But first, for the uninitiated, who is Stuart Semple?
Born in 1980 in Dorset, Stuart is quite simply one of the most influential and provocative figures in contemporary art today. His career took off after a near-death experience at the age of 19, which galvanised his commitment to pursuing art as a vocation. Since then, he’s enjoyed a prolific career spanning two decades, with his work featured in over 15 international solo exhibitions and more than 40 group shows.
Stuart’s art is characterised by its bold, often playful exploration of mass culture’s impact on the individual. Working across various media, including painting, film, public art, sculpture and installation, his pieces frequently incorporate elements from pop culture, internet aesthetics and cultural theory, creating hybrid compositions that are both visually striking and intellectually engaging.
Another thing that sets Stuart apart is his commitment to democratising the art world. He’s gained notoriety for his public feuds with other artists over access to materials, most famously creating the “pinkest pink” pigment in response to Anish Kapoor’s exclusive rights to Vantablack (a pigment coating that absorbs 99.965% of the incident light, making it the blackest known pigment at the time of its discovery). This incident exemplifies Stuart’s broader mission to make art and art-making more accessible to all.