Bucks &amp; Oxon


<p>You might not know his name, but you’ve definitely seen his neon. Mark Sloper — the punk-turned-artist behind&nbsp;<em>Illuminati Neon</em>&nbsp;and those electric portraits of everyone from the Queen to Sid Vicious — has gone from backstage with the Sex Pistols to lighting up the walls of No.10, The White House and, most recently, Oasis HQ. Splitting his time between London and The Chilterns, his art’s loud, bold and brilliantly British — just like the man himself.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-art-gallery.jpg" alt="Mark Sloper's art gallery" class="wp-image-196183" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-art-gallery.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-art-gallery-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-art-gallery-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-art-gallery-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-the-oasis-commission-come-about">How did the Oasis commission come about?</h2>



<p>It all kicked off after I kept bumping into Noel Gallagher at secret Sex Pistols reform gigs (as you do). Next thing I know, he&#8217;s asking Warner Brothers to make me their gig artist – crazy, I know! They wanted that vintage album-sleeve vibe, with a punky twist. I treated it like a proper collab, no fangirling – but knowing my art was about to hit thousands of eyes? That was a total buzz. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-you-end-up-an-artist-rather-than-a-guitarist-thrashing-about-on-stage">How did you end up an artist rather than a guitarist thrashing about on stage?</h2>



<p>Back in the day I went to art school in Sheffield, but I couldn’t see how you’d ever make a living as an artist. So I went down the TV route instead and spent 30 years in that world. Then one day I spotted some art in a gallery and thought: I could give that a crack. Twelve years later, I&#8217;m still here, covered in paint. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-first-pulled-you-into-punk-the-politics-the-attitude-or-all-the-black-leather">What first pulled you into punk – the politics, the attitude, or all the black leather?</h2>



<p>The leather had its moment, sure. I was 12 when I clocked this bloke in a long leather coat with a purple eyebrow – next thing I know, Adam Ant has whisked me onto his tour bus and he&#8217;s been a close friend ever since. Punk was called a movement, but looking back, it was just a bunch of mates who loved the same things – music, fashion, and art &#8211; all exploding at once. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-s-influenced-your-style-the-most">Who’s influenced your style the most?</h2>



<p>Jamie Reid&#8217;s the obvious one &#8211; he created all the original Sex Pistols artwork and I ended up getting to know him well. I’ve got so much of his stuff, my studio’s like a mini Jamie museum. But I’m also a massive fan of 18th-century art because it&#8217;s dark and moody. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-your-studio-a-chaotic-punk-den-or-a-calm-zen-zone-with-a-kettle-on-the-go">Is your studio a chaotic punk den, or a calm, zen zone with a kettle on the go?</h2>



<p>I’d love it to be a calm, zen zone, but it&#8217;s crazy, with neon everywhere – but I love it that way: seeing everything glowing around me inspires me to make more.  </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-God-Save-the-Queen-4-Blue.jpg" alt="Mark Sloper's neon art of the Queen" class="wp-image-196174" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-God-Save-the-Queen-4-Blue.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-God-Save-the-Queen-4-Blue-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-God-Save-the-Queen-4-Blue-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-God-Save-the-Queen-4-Blue-267x400.jpg 267w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>God Save the Queen &#8211; Ultimate Blue, </em>Limited Edition on Glass<em>. </em>By Mark Sloper.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-piece-means-the-most-to-you-or-caused-the-biggest-stir">Which piece means the most to you (or caused the biggest stir)?</h2>



<p>My favourites? The antique flag pieces – <em>London Calling,</em> a World War II flag, and <em>Queen in Residence, </em>which is an 1890s Victorian beauty. They take me straight back to listening to my grandad&#8217;s war stories as a boy. As for the one that caused the biggest stir? Definitely the Queen piece. She actually asked for her neck tattoo to be removed – but now she&#8217;s gone, I&#8217;ve inked it back on. I couldn&#8217;t resist. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marlow-bottom-isn-t-exactly-on-brand-why-set-up-a-studio-here">Marlow Bottom isn’t exactly on brand – why set up a studio here?</h2>



<p>When I&#8217;m in Marlow, I <em>actually </em>get work done. I don&#8217;t have people dropping in every minutes like I do in my studio in Shepherds Bush. In Marlow, I have more space, it&#8217;s peaceful and everyone&#8217;s friendly. The birds are twittering instead of police sirens, which makes a nice change. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-you-wing-it-with-spray-paint-or-is-there-method-in-the-madness">Do you wing it with spray paint or is there method in the madness? </h2>



<p>Often it just comes to me. I take huge inspiration from an artist called Chris Bracey, who ran Gods Own Junkyard in Walthamstow. He taught me everything I needed to know about creating the kind of art I make now. Sadly, he passed away, but I still feel like he lives on through my work.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-Queen-in-Residence.jpg" alt="Mark Sloper's neon art" class="wp-image-196176" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-Queen-in-Residence.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-Queen-in-Residence-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-Queen-in-Residence-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-Queen-in-Residence-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Queen in Residence</em>, Neon on Vintage Flag. By Mark Sloper. </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-you-re-not-splattering-canvases-where-are-we-likely-to-find-you-down-the-pub-at-a-gig-or-in-wellies-on-a-chilterns-walk">When you’re not splattering canvases, where are we likely to find you – down the pub, at a gig, or in wellies on a Chilterns walk? </h2>



<p>You’ll probably find me in Soho, tucked away in an overpriced cocktail bar, ideally the Groucho Club. It&#8217;s a great motivator to keep earning the dosh – it&#8217;s not wallet friendly. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-did-the-gallaghers-let-you-do-your-own-thing">Did the Gallaghers let you do your own thing?</h2>



<p>I&#8217;d hoped for a bit more free rein, but secrecy was the name of the game. They loved my recent artwork, but wanted their merch to stay true to their look, so I worked straight from their album sleeves. They sent me the whole back catalogue, I mocked up a bunch of ideas, and they chose two. The whole thing took about a week to 10 days – fuelled by sheer graft and coffee. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-DRP27182.jpg" alt="Mark Sloper's neon art" class="wp-image-196178" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-DRP27182.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-DRP27182-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-DRP27182-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-DRP27182-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>I Am Vengeance</em> DRP27182 &#8211; Mark Sloper. </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-talked-about-reworking-your-film-50-years-of-punk-what-s-changed">You’ve talked about reworking your film 50<em> Years of Punk </em>– what&#8217;s changed? </h2>



<p>It started out as a simple update, but as myself and everyone in those bands in the punk scene have gotten older and the noise has quietened, there&#8217;s a real sense of perspective. Looking back, it&#8217;s clear: without Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood stirring the pot, there would be no punk rock. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finally-when-oasis-hit-the-stage-again-will-you-be-front-row-pint-in-hand-or-watching-from-the-wings-with-paint-still-on-your-hands-nbsp">Finally – when Oasis hit the stage again, will you be front row pint in hand, or watching from the wings with paint still on your hands?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>I managed to nab free VIP tickets to the gig, but &#8211; ever the knight in shining armour &#8211; I gave them away to friends and family who are proper fans – I’m far too cool for school like that. I appreciate the hype, but it’s just not my scene, even with the free fizz. Plus I heard from the record label that the lads don’t hang around afterwards anyway – they play, then they’re off.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-DRP27044.jpg" alt="Mark Sloper's neon art Sex Pistols" class="wp-image-196181" style="aspect-ratio:1;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-DRP27044.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-DRP27044-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-DRP27044-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Mark-Sloper-DRP27044-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Sex Pistols</em> DRP27044 &#8211; Mark Sloper.</figcaption></figure>



<p><strong><a href="https://www.illuminatineon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Illuminati Neon&#8217;s</a> artwork is displayed in both studios in Marlow and London. Instagram: @mark_illuminati. </strong></p>



<p><strong><em>Rose Business Estate, Marlow Bottom, Marlow SL7 3ND. </em></strong></p>


Meet Oasis’ official artist: the punk making Marlow glow

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