Looking ahead, Alex is on a mission to conquer animation, seeing it as the ultimate platform to elevate his storytelling beyond static images. Despite the rollercoaster of freelance life, he’s charging forward with unwavering determination and a hunger for creative exploration. Currently crashing in Penge, Alex juggles daily life with his artistic pursuits, eagerly anticipating the day when his animated dreams take flight and redefine visual storytelling.

Embodying his relentless spirit, Alex lives by the motto, “If you’re going through hell, keep going,” a testament to his drive to push boundaries and turn challenges into triumphs. Over the next five years, he envisions diving headfirst into animation, breathing life into intricate narratives that captivate audiences worldwide and leave them craving more.

ALEX JENKINS

Alex’s art isn’t just a discovery—it’s a wild ride through candy-coloured, conceptually romantic and ironic landscapes. He races through scenes filled with car crashes, police shootouts, cowboys, goblins on Grindr, and even violent Greek gods of biology.

His psychedelic palette floods your senses with acid lilac tones, raining purple, violet, creamy, and neon-pastel shades. His micro-contouring and dotting techniques create dramatic contrasts, igniting explosive narratives with precision.

Alex masterfully navigates intimacy with a norm-core-ish touch, blending eroticism with visceral anatomical details drawn from bacterial, veinal, and gutsy environments.

It’s a mind-body roller coaster! Alex refines each composition with a blend of innocent charm and sharp critique, ensuring his art sparks giggles and cravings for more.

“I THINK IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO FIND A BALANCE…”

 

– ALEX QUOTES

“SO IF I CREATE SOMETHING FULL OF GORE, I TRY TO PUT A COMICAL ELEMENT IN PLACE TO BALANCE IT OUT. I DON’T WANT TO OVER-EGG THE PUDDING.”

 

DT 500ZINE: –  As a kid, what really left a mark on you?

ALEX: – As a child, I liked a lot of cartoons and would watch my favourites whenever they were on. I feel even the world of computer gaming has an influence as it probably consumed so many people’s time in their youth; I was in the generation of the N64, and games such as Goldeneye, Metal Gear Solid, Tiberian Sun really seem to have resonated, and I can remember details like the soundtracks clearly. Also, violent action films like The Terminator and Robocop were inspiring, and I’d watch them religiously.

DT 500 ZINE: – Your art’s like a wild trip—psychedelic, trippy, and full of cheeky vibes. What’s your main focus when you’re creating?

ALEX: – humour is essential, especially as I like to draw grotesque or sinister things. The humour can act as a reveller as if it leaned towards something dark or outlandish; it could be overdone. Not that I’m saying I’m hilarious, though.

DT 500 ZINE: – Who were your biggest influencers on the journey?

ALEX: – What really got me back to drawing was a Robert Crumb book I was given when I was about 21. It was really inspiring in that it was technically drawn at such a high level, with dark and, you could say, controversial themes but always with a powerful sense of humour. It instantly appealed to me and pushed me to begin an illustration course. Also, the work of artists such as George Grosz, Max Ernst, Giorgio Di Chirico, Philip Guston, and Goya appealed to me.

 

DT 500 ZINE: -So, you’re mixing the real with the dreamy—what’s your philosophy behind that?

ALEX: – Some of the stuff I draw falls into the category of being classified as lowbrow. At the moment, I like to focus more on themes that require more imagination than dirty humour.

 

DT 500 ZINE: – What’s got you all fired up with ambition lately?

ALEX: – I find it always valuable to try to look at new things, whether visiting galleries or looking at interesting visual imagery or themes online. Whenever I see something I like or an idea pops up, I must try to remember it to produce something new.

DT 500 ZINE: –  What project has been the highlight of your career so far, the one that really got your creative juices flowing and left a lasting impact?

ALEX: – I recently did a triptych of big posters for the US-based band Phish, which was really exciting, mainly due to the scale and size of the signs but also the pleasure of working with a group with a real cult following.

DT 500 ZINE: – What are your aspirations summed up? Anything exhilarating on the horizon for the next five years that’s got you pumped?

ALEX: – I’d really like to get into animation, and it would allow an idea to be explored and give a particular image more room for a narrative. It’s time-consuming and looks complicated regarding learning, but hopefully, I’ll get there.

DT 500 MAG: – Could you paint a vivid picture of the neighbourhood you currently reside in? Give us the insider’s perspective on what makes it unique and what daily life is like there.

ALEX: I live in a luscious 6-bedroom Victorian townhouse that overlooks Russel Square. Nah, just kidding. I live in my old bedroom back at my mom’s in Penge. Making money as an illustrator is always a struggle, but I look forward to moving back out as soon as possible!

 

DT 500 ZINE: – Got a quick quote that’s your hype mantra for the day?

ALEX: –

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”

DT 500 ZINE: – What’s the latest scoop on your creative endeavours?

ALEX: – I’m looking forward to moving out of my mom’s house. Then, hopefully, get some animations going!

DT 500 ZINE: – Alex, keep smashing it and stay blessed!

Alex is the ultimate art provocateur of the Gen Zees. This visionary effortlessly blends contemporary cool with deep intellectual chops, pushing the limits of art while staying true to his South London roots. His journey is a testament to creativity’s power to ignite change and inspire minds. As Alex continues to evolve and innovate, he’s poised to leave an indelible mark on the art world, solidifying his status as a powerhouse in illustration and beyond.

“Creativity is the spark that ignites possibility.”

Edited by Frida Anglstein

Illustrations by Alex Jenkins

Interview by Arthur Sopin