The Illustrated

Initiated in 2009 with the goal of expanding photography into new dimensions, The Illustrated is a playful, unruly, sometimes bizarre set of images made in collaboration with graphic designers, illustrators, typographers, and mixed media artists. Human figures dance, disappear and disassociate within the frame – slipping back into fields of colour, becoming camouflaged, or exploding into crowns of bristling lines and icons.

The project is slowly evolving, with new pieces created through partnerships, gallery collaborations, and chance meetings with artists working in collage, painting, costume design and other fields. Past commissions include a mural piece for the main stage of the inaugural Sofar Festival, designs for the Yard Theatre in London, and promotional artwork for Akram Khan Company’s dance show Chotto Xenos. In 2019, works made in collaboration with Harry Yeff (aka Reeps One) were created live and exhibited at the HKwalls festival in Hong Kong as part of a UK delegation curated by Anna Maloney and supported by Arts Council England. More exhibitions and commissions detailed below.

Participating artists (in alphabetical order):
Alana Dee Haynes / Alexander Chappell / Anne Bengard / Arcane Sin / Bonnie Baker / Broken Fingaz / Delphine Noiztoy / Ed Hicks / Eda Kaymaz / Giulia Zorzella / Guy Sanders / Harry Yeff (aka Reeps 100) as Yeff & Hopper / Iain Macarthur / Ilan Baffet / Joe Fur / Josh Whitehouse / Kat Hanula / Luke Moss / Rosco Brittin / Xavier Jeannin as HELLOGZA

Commissions and exhibitions (in chronological order):
2013 Feb: Mural by Yeff & Hopper at The White Horse pub. London, UK.
2013 May: Stage Mural for Sofar Sounds’ first ‘Sofar Festival’. London, UK.
2013 Sep: ‘Giving Something Back’ solo exhibition. London, UK.
2014 Feb: Yeff & Hopper exhibited at the Chinese Open group exhibition. London, UK.
2014 Mar: ‘Reeps One A.D.O’ (Yeff & Hopper). London, UK.
2014 Mar: ‘Circle Of Naked’ performance; live body painting by Yeff & Hopper with 20 participants during Reeps One’s A.D.O. exhibition. London, UK.
2019 Mar: Live drawing onto photographic prints during HKwalls festival. Hong Kong, China.
2019 Mar: Promotional poster artwork in collaboration with Guy Sanders commissioned by The Yard Theatre for The Crucible show. Image featuring circus artist Ramona Reinvall. London, UK.
2020 Feb: Promotional poster artwork in collaboration with Kat Hanula commissioned by Akram Khan Company for their child-friendly dance show ‘Chotto Xenos’. Image featuring dancer Kennedy Junior Muntanga. London, UK.

Please get in touch if you’re interested in purchasing or exhibiting work, commissioning or collaborating.

'The Illustrated' is an ongoing project.
(CC) 2009-2020 Ben Hopper.