Mary Stephenson (b.1989) was born and raised in London. Spending a short period living and working in Madrid and then Lisbon, Stephenson now resides back in London where she studies full time at The Royal Academy Schools.

 

Stephenson’s work weaves narratives around the viewer drawing them into complex and surreal scenes. In an exploration of the space between our unconscious mind and reality, Stephenson uses humour and distraction to create tension and apprehension, breaking this through her use of objects depicted as characters; a sad cucumber, a wistful piece of Stilton.

 

The paintings become a sorting room of excess thoughts; layering up narratives and conflicting emotions to depict the mania of one’s projected self in a nuanced exploration of the human desire to fit in and belong.