Photo: Jonathan Turner
Kevin Lycett studied Fine Art and Art History at Leeds University 1974-1978. He worked collaboratively and as a solo artist across a wide range of art, including video, performance, photography, film, print and occasionally painting.
In 1977 he formed the seminal post punk band The Mekons with fellow art students from Leeds University. Kevin focused his creative activity on this project for the next 12 years; after which he became an occasional contributor, which continues to this day.
The Mekons, most of whom also have art school backgrounds, continue to create art and exhibit, having had several exhibitions in the 90’s and early 2,000s. The exhibitions ‘United’ and ‘Oooh’ in particular featured collaborative works and publications, touring both the UK and the USA.
In 2013 Kevin returned to art as a primary activity. He has since been engaged upon a major series of ‘Monster’ artworks.
“Returning to painting at the same time that the world seems to have slipped back into a 1970/80s climate of right wing political chaos, Kevin has once again found himself having to make a response to what are increasingly nightmare scenarios. In a direct lineage from his time with the Mekons, his images explore the unpredictability and lurking chaos of a new world order.Kevin’s new paintings are portraits of us all as monsters. They suggest that we may all be culpable in this time of moral uncertainty.”
Garry Barker, Workshop Press Gallery, Leeds 2017
Kevin’s recent work has been exhibited in the UK and the USA, and is informally represented in the USA by Yard Dog studio, Austin, Texas.