History

He was born in Greenwich, South East London in February 1952. Once he joined Eltham Green School in 1963 King studied Art under Richard Box and Jim Riddock where he was introduced to the artists of the Surrealist movement. Later King studied the work of M. C. Escher and the architecture and interior design of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Becoming an artist

Leaving school in 1968 King began his professional artistic journey by producing his own 'private' artwork while working as a trainee commercial artist in London's highly competitive advertising industry. After just two years he parted with the commercial advertising industry to pursue his own creative ambitions and by the early 1970's he was already exhibiting and selling art across London.

Now accepted as a member of the Massurrealist Movement, and probably the first in the UK, King continues to experiment and explore new methods of artistic expression.
Massurrealism is the form of art that is rooted in the combination of mass-media related art with surrealist imagery.

Its popularity has grown because Massurrealism represents the breaking through of borders, known categories and limitations. This makes the Massurrealist a free spirit. What the Massurrealist sets out to do, essentially, is to express what is in his minds eye at the point of creation via the use of all the available tools and methods of today. This results in works of fantasy and disassociated thought, containing all the other elements that make up the free thinking experience.

Style

Drawing on his knowledge of computer and commercial design techniques, processes and working methods Alan King has developed his own unique and recognisable style. Strong, bold, and rich with colour, his vibrant and vividly surreal landscapes bridge the gap between surrealist imagery and New Media technique.

A master of digital technique, King is able to capture and express the images seen in his mind's eye at the point of creation as he surveys the landscape of his vivid imagination.

Alan King's style of drawing and computer techniques are currently considered the art of graphic design. Graphic design is the term for making art with the combination of drawing skills and computer skills. The drawing aspect leaves in the art aspect while the computer portion allows the artist to make some odd, yet intriguing, images with much more clarity than old fashioned drawing and painting can provide.