Summer Poets sits in a warmer, more lyrical register than most of Wakeling's work. Where his larger canvases tend toward raw emotional intensity — bold charcoal, frenetic gesture, figures half-submerged...
Summer Poets sits in a warmer, more lyrical register than most of Wakeling's work. Where his larger canvases tend toward raw emotional intensity — bold charcoal, frenetic gesture, figures half-submerged in mark-making — this series leans into something quieter. Time spent on the Cornish coast fed directly into the palette: earthy tones, ocean blues, soft pinks, mustard yellows and mossy greens, colours that feel experienced rather than invented.
Working in spray paint, acrylic and oil on canvas, Wakeling builds these smaller-scale pieces with the same instinctive, brain-to-hand process that defines all his work. The figures emerge from layers rather than being placed — which is consistent with a practice rooted equally in graffiti, automatic drawing and a decade of working as an art therapist with the NHS.
This is part of an exclusive series of six originals created specifically for Print Club London, available nowhere else. For context on collecting original works at this price point, our guide to investing in art is worth reading.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Ben Wakeling
Ben Wakeling (b. 1985) is a British artist known for powerful abstract figurative works that explore mental health, identity, and emotional vulnerability. His paintings are marked by dynamic charcoal line work, vivid colour palettes, and raw, expressive energy that reveals layers of subconscious thought and feeling.
Starting out in Hackney Wick’s street art scene, Wakeling began with graffiti—using public space to confront personal and social struggles. He later moved into a studio practice, developing a distinct approach to abstract portraiture through automatic drawing and a deeply introspective process.
Wakeling’s figures often emerge from chaos—layered, half-formed, and emotionally charged—inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities of the inner self. His work serves as a kind of psychological self-portrait, expressing both turmoil and resilience.
He is the founder of Outsider Gallery, the first in London to focus on work by individuals in forensic and secure mental health settings. Since 2016, he has led an Expressive Arts and Wellbeing programme for the NHS North London Forensic Service.
Now represented by Print Club London, Wakeling’s limited original works are gaining recognition for their emotional intensity and distinct visual language.
