Ty Locke

Ty Locke’s practice draws inspiration from a multitude of biographical sources, blending both accessibility and humour to explore deeper social commentary surrounding class systems, queer culture and domestic relationships. As a queer artist and practicing drag queen, Ty’s work often reflects his experiences in the queer community and explorations of subverting boundaries. Through the use of everyday objects and subverting their position and function to create labour intensive sculptures Locke imbues mundane objects with individual personality and tension. Within these deeply personal sculptures Locke explores aspects of his own family and social biography, with their humorous presentation juxtaposed with the emotional depth and tone of the topics they explore.

Ty Locke (b. 1996, Maidstone, UK) currently lives and works in London. Locke graduated with an MFA in Sculpture from Slade School of Art, London in 2023 and a BA First class from the University of the Creative Arts, Canterbury in 2018. Recent exhibitions include: ‘Take a Seat’, Bow Arts, London, 2024; ’Intension (the concept of ‘dog’ encapsulates its ‘dogness’, Copperfield, London, 2024; ‘Fragment I, COMMUNE, Vienna, 2024; ‘Kitchen Sink Drama’ (solo), Copperfield, London, UK, 2023; ‘Annual Sadness’, The Organ Factory, London, UK, 2023; ‘Amber Room’, Matt’s Gallery, London, 2023; ‘Unfurnished’, Bomb Factory, London, 2023.

Locke’s work is included in the following collections LAM Museum, Netherlands; Ingar Dragset, Norway; Maarten Baas, Netherlands; Sigrún Davíðsdóttir, UK and he was a recipient of the Platform Graduate Award, Turner Contemporary, Margate, 2018.