My friend Mark Pawson, who has died aged 60 of a heart attack, was an artist who created a constant stream of postcards, badges, T-shirts and ephemera. His work found homes in the Tate Library collection and the V&A, as well as being bought by the singer Björk and countless badge-buyers from London to Tokyo. Mark did not attend art school, but was always in demand as a guest lecturer at various institutions including the London College of Communication and the Royal College of Art.
His badges were his best known work, every one made by hand, even when an order of 3,000 had him working through the night. He was a one-man production line whose work also spanned maps, posters and signs, and self-published books on niche subjects ranging from car-boot sale “noggins” (small wooden Viking figures) and Kinder Egg toys to plug-wiring diagrams.
He collaborated with the jewellery designer Tatty Devine, for whom his acrylic “OPEN” sign piece became a sought-after item. He was also a mail artist, sending out beautifully decorated envelopes that were always a joy to receive.
Mark found value in the overlooked, transforming the disposable – packaging, receipts, pricing stickers – into something new, recontextualising everyday objects as art. He was always generous with his time, encouraging fellow artists to dig into the depths of independent publishing and overlooked corners of design.
Born in Strood, near Rochester, Kent, he was the son of June (nee Illingworth), a teacher, and David Pawson, an architect planner. After the family moved to Lymm, Cheshire, Mark attended Lymm grammar school. He then took a sociology degree at City University (1986), and worked at Community CopyArt in Kings Cross, north London. Later he gained a BTec in electronic multimedia publishing, at Bibliotech in Hoxton, east London (1997).
In the late 90s and early 2000s his Strangely Satisfying stall at Camden market, which he ran with two friends, was the highlight of any trip to the area, brimming with obscure imported toys, zines, ephemera and stickers. His home in Bethnal Green was an extension of his creative energy – from his hallway decorated with pizza flyers to his bedroom housing a full-sized photocopier.
From 2013, he had a table at the DIY Art Market that I run, an event at various London venues where artists, illustrators and curious minds gather. Mark’s presence at that and other artists’ and small publishers’ book fairs worldwide was a constant. His table was unmistakable, draped in a tablecloth stitched together from promotional tote bags collected from the many fairs he had exhibited at over the years – a reflection of his love for independent publishing and creative communities.
Mark is survived by his parents and by a brother, Daniel, and sister, Frances.
