Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery

If there is a theme or structure to his work it is less to do with subject but more to do with materials and how he uses them. Surface print, on paper, in his own highly colourful books, textiles woodcuts and sculptures made
from found packing material such as cardboard revel in the richness of applied colour through process on to seemingly any material or surface.

The sculptures have both large scale breutality, Batman looks fairly menacing , but less so when one realises he is made from boxes of walkers cheese and onion "baker" crisps. A large Mississipi paddle steamer looks
like a fairground on wheels, but it is the deserted fun palace of Coney Island that one thinks of, colourful yet somehow melancholiic.

Mockett was for years an illustrator and designer within the worlds of advertising and publishing, after a 20 year career,

" I dried up and so did the work" he says

He starteded creating hand-screenprint books of his woodcuts, as well as designs for textiles

"If you weant to become a millionaire making artists books, there is only one way to succeed.... start out by being  a billionaire", he states ruefully

It took a long time in creating a body of work that he felt reprersented his own creative signature, lots of false starts and cul de sacs' before a recognisable "look" came to be.

In 2004 Mockett had a large show of prints and books" Beaten and Blocked" at the Brighton Museum and art Gallery with sculptur Jon Mills. This show, although a critical success, did not propel his work into wider recognition.  Two years later he was selling to Paul Smith , books cards and a new line in bespoke hand finished wooden toys, it was a start and in 2008 he created and produced the "Songbox" artwork for Laura Marlings Debut Album " Alas I cannot swim. This songbox has the same feel as some of his books, personal, emotive and gorged with printed colour.

This was his last printed project for in 2008, he started sculpting out of cardboard, found in the deli where he was now, due to finances having to work.

These have became more eleborate having initially been very simple and small in scale.

The work in the show" Colour may vary from that shown on box" is a mixture of the early prints , the mid period books and the current sculptures being made in his studio in Brighton.

The walls of this relativewly small show are splashed with vivid printed colour, some of which seems to have alighted onto his highly colourful sculptures, If anything this show celebrates the art of looking and seeing.
Mockett manages to find boxes with printed imagery that suit his sculptural requirements, on the paddle steamer waves lap at  the vessels hull and crash
against the prow, he didin't print it

"No,I got those boxes in the old fruit market in Prague, I'm always looking for some colour, letter number or detail I can use, My flat is virtually taken over with boxes.

Mocketts work can also be seen in the touring show 'Precious'  at the Platform Gallery in Clitheroe until september then on to Bambury in Oxford and several venues thereafter.