Mal Fostock has steadily emerged as one of Britain’s most contemplative contemporary artists, blending the emotional depth of figurative painting with the structural discipline of abstraction. His works explore the delicate relationship between chaos and control, often examining what it means to exist both together and apart in a rapidly shifting world. Through a practice that spans painting, drawing, and mixed media, Fostock’s visual language bridges expressionist impulses with architectural precision, revealing a mind deeply attuned to both the psychological and social dimensions of modern life.
A graduate of St Paul’s and Wimbledon College of Art, Fostock’s early works demonstrated a fascination with the tension between human fragility and resilience. His palette is dominated by muted tones and abrupt contrasts and often mirrors the dualities he explores: connection and isolation, belonging and entropy. Over time, his compositions have evolved to incorporate bolder gestures and layered surfaces that invite prolonged contemplation. Critics have described his approach as “emotion rendered through geometry,” a style that situates him at the intersection of visual philosophy.
Central to Fostock’s creative ethos is his exploration of inclusion and exclusion, in both a literal and symbolic way. His paintings frequently depict abstracted figures dissolving into, or emerging from, their surroundings, a metaphor for identity within collective experience. This recurring motif underscores his interest in how people define themselves within broader systems, whether social, political, or existential. Each stroke appears to evoke both vulnerability and quiet strength.
What distinguishes Fostock’s oeuvre is his conceptual integrity. He engages with the world’s inequities and diversities not through overt activism, but through poetic suggestion. His canvases become meditative spaces, urging viewers to pause and reconsider their perceptions of belonging and empathy. This introspective approach aligns him with artists like Anselm Kiefer and Sean Scully, who similarly use materiality to explore metaphysical questions of humanity and transcendence.
Several of Fostock’s most acclaimed pieces, including Crossing the Line, Echoes of the Crowd, and Unity in Fragments, demonstrate his mastery of layering and spatial rhythm. In these works, abstraction serves as a conduit for emotion, each plane of colour resonating like a note in a visual symphony. The physicality of his brushwork reflects both tension and release, as if the act of painting itself becomes a form of reconciliation between the seen and the unseen.
In addition to his studio practice, Fostock has been active in mentoring emerging artists and contributing to dialogues around accessibility in the arts. His work frequently challenges the exclusivity that often surrounds high art, advocating for creativity as a shared and inclusive human right. This philosophy not only informs his artistic direction but also finds tangible expression in his curatorial choices and collaborations.
Now, with his forthcoming exhibition INCLUSION, Mal Fostock brings these ideas into full focus. Opening at Mall Galleries, West Gallery, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AS, from 7th–11th October (10am–5pm daily), the exhibition will showcase a powerful collection of new and recent works that confront the politics and poetics of belonging. Admission is free, with no booking required, an apt reflection of the exhibition’s central message. INCLUSION promises to be both a visual and philosophical statement, an invitation to engage and participate in the ongoing dialogue that defines Mal Fostock’s remarkable artistic journey.
For more information on the artist and the INCLUSION exhibition, please visit https://malfostock.com/