Tracey Moberly x Mark Thomas: State,

2025,

Footnotes

STATE has been created from recycled plastic and cotton mesh fruit & vegetable packaging, with repurposed thread. This is the first of Tracey's artwork edition in this medium which also highlights global plastic pollution. The artwork creation began through dialogue as part of a Music Shaped 2025 project interview between Tracey and the comedian, author, activist and her close friend Mark Thomas, as a direct response against the UK authorities imposing excessive limits on freedom of assembly and expression. Highlighting the police and court actions placed in particular, on the music sector, following through to cultural industries and the general population.

Tracey Moberly is a Welsh interdisciplinary artist, writer, activist and educator whose work bridges art, technology and community engagement. Her practice is characterised by a profound engagement with socio-political themes. Moberly is known for working in diverse media—from brick sculpture and textile embroidery to mobile imagery and public interventions—always combining craft, technology and activism. In her community-based projects (for example working in post-industrial Welsh valleys), she collaborates with local people on art, heritage or ecological initiatives, helping shape a socially responsive practice.

Mark Thomas is an English comedian, investigative presenter, writer and staunch political activist. He first gained prominence via his daring blend of comedy and confrontation, most notably on the long-running TV series The Mark Thomas Comedy Product (Channel 4, 1996-2003), which paired stand-up with satirical investigations into the arms trade, tax avoidance and corporate power. Thomas's career is marked by feats of activism. At the same time, his work spans authored books, radio, theatre and public campaigning: he's written five-plus books, produced multiple radio series ("The Manifesto"), and even curated art exhibitions with Tracey Moberly.

Provenance:
Donated directly by the artists to In Place of War for this sale.
All proceeds from the sale of this Lot will go to the charity In Place Of War, which is a global organisation that uses creativity in places of conflict as a tool for positive change.

MUSIC SHAPED is a project from non-profit organisation In Place of War that pairs musical and cultural icons with exceptional visual artists to create works reflecting how music has influenced their lives. The collaboration begins with a recorded conversation between the visual artist and musician, and results in the creation of a brand new artwork reflecting their conversations and creative journeys.

In Place of War is a UK-based, global organisation that uses artistic creativity in places impacted by conflict and climate change as a tool for positive change. In Place of War supports grassroots change-makers in music, theatre and visual art, to transform cultures of violence and suffering into hope, opportunity and freedom. Starting as a research project at the University of Manchester in 2004, initial research findings spurred practical projects and programming. Twenty years later, In Place of War works with a change-maker network of 130 creative organisations across 30 countries, all making lasting change in their communities. Artist ambassadors and fellow supporters include Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Martin Aitkens, Ed O'Brien, Peter Hook, Laurie Anderson and Nitin Sawhney.

Proceeds from the sale of MUSIC SHAPED artworks will support In Place of War's #HackMusic Programme, which provides critical catalyst funding to support the development of essential life-changing music projects with indigenous communities; LGBTQI+ artists; artists in conflict zones; and artists responding to the climate crisis.

For more information please visit: https://www.inplaceofwar.net/