Mary Stephenson is a London based artist who creates intimate 'paper portraits' of close family and friends through recreating life-sized 3D sets of interior spaces to then shoot them in. Her playfully absurd portraits are made from a mixture of expanding foam, clay, paper and cardboard, where she first builds, then paints and photographs real-size stage sets inspired by the living, working and intimate spaces of her sitters, who have included friends and their families and even Hackney’s Broadway Market butchers Hill & Szrok. Part portrait, part theatre set, Mary’s work sits somewhere between reality and fantasy
www.mary-stephenson.com
What do you love most about your job?
The freedom I have to explore my thoughts and how messy I get to be.
Where's your favourite hangout in London?
My mum’s house.
What's top of your playlist right now?
I've been listening to The Harder They Come by Jimmy Cliff a lot recently - a firm Stephenson favourite - and The Homecoming Podcast.
What's your most loved piece in your wardrobe?
My painting overalls.
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
Too many but I have incredibly small feet so I can hide them in tiny bundles in my room!
What do your Rogues say about you?
That I appreciate beautifully crafted things.