Marcus Aitken
1990
(UK)
British
Marcus Aitken is a contemporary British artist based in Margate, UK, celebrated for his dynamic, gestural abstract paintings. Raised on Portugal’s Algarve coast, Aitken brings a unique cultural perspective to his work. He has quickly gained recognition as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging talents in the contemporary art world.
Education
Aitken studied Illustration at UAL London College of Communication (2009-2012) and completed a Foundation Course at Camberwell College of Arts (2008-2009). With a background in graphic and media design, his formal training has deeply shaped his artistic approach, offering what he describes as "a certain edge and a different viewpoint when approaching the canvas"—a contrast to more traditional fine art pathways.
Inspiration
Aitken’s work is driven by a desire to evoke genuine emotional responses through an exploration of movement, texture, and atmosphere. Music often plays a background role in his process, influencing the rhythm and energy of his compositions. He also draws inspiration from his everyday surroundings, capturing visual references through photographs and screenshots of everything from weathered shopfronts to layered urban surfaces. His color palette, while evolving over time, often returns to recurring tones of green, blue, and pink. Central to his practice is a focus on intuition and emotional honesty, prioritizing creativity and vulnerability over competition or convention.
Technique
Aitken’s process is raw and intuitive, marked by a distinctive approach that blends layering, distressing, and blending to build rich, multifaceted surfaces. His brushwork is often guided by rhythm and energy, with music subtly influencing the tempo and motion of each mark. He views painting as a physical act; one that demands presence and vulnerability to truly connect with the work.
Often working on a number of different surfaces, Aitken builds up layers of pigment before breaking them down again, creating tension between control and spontaneity. He frequently incorporates off-cuts of canvas from unfinished or discarded pieces, repurposing them into new compositions. This reuse of materials adds depth and texture while embedding a sense of continuity and reinvention into each piece.
Exhibitions
Aitken has exhibited widely across the UK and internationally, with a growing presence in prominent art scenes around the world. His work has been featured in solo shows in Madrid and group exhibitions throughout Europe and the United States.
He is part of the esteemed Soho House art collection and has exhibited at Art Basel, further cementing his international profile. Recent highlights include exhibitions in Athens, Glasgow, and London, as well as the launch of Farah Japan in Kyoto, reflecting both his expanding global reach and increasing interest from collectors.
Awards and Recognition
Aitken's profile was significantly elevated in 2020 when Saatchi Art named him among their top 20 emerging artists to watch, a milestone recognition that introduced his work to international collectors and the broader art community. This achievement led to increased media attention, with his practice featured on prominent British networks including BBC and ITV, bringing his distinctive approach to painting into the public spotlight.
His artistic development has been enriched through residencies in both Tuscany and Central London, experiences that have expanded his creative perspective and contributed to his evolving practice. These recognitions and opportunities have established Aitken as a prominent voice among Britain's new generation of contemporary artists.
Collections
His works are held in private collections across the globe, with particular strength in Germany, France, Spain, America, and the UK. Aitken has also completed commissioned works for commercial spaces and individual collectors, demonstrating the versatility and appeal of his artistic vision.
Representation
IdeelArt has been exhibiting Aitken's distinctive abstract works since 2025.
