OPAKE

1. Biography

Opake (born Ed Worley) is a London-based contemporary artist whose practice merges graffiti culture with pop-art iconography. Having begun painting at age 13, he developed his visual language on the streets of the UK before transitioning into fine art. His work often features the fragmentation and repetition of familiar cultural symbols—such as Mickey Mouse, Pink Panther, Bugs Bunny, and other iconic characters—representing psychological loops, addiction, memory distortion, and the disintegration of pop culture.

His artistic journey is deeply intertwined with personal experiences of addiction and recovery. Through layered compositions, heavy linework, and chaotic visual structures, Opake explores themes of mental health and cultural collapse while transforming adversity into creative force. Today, he is recognised within the UK and international art scenes for his unique blend of street-art energy and conceptual depth.

Exhibitions
(Based on confirmed public data – currently none formally recorded as “solo exhibitions” in Artsy or galleries. If needed, can update when new shows are listed.)
TBA – Upcoming solo shows to be announced via Carousel Fine Art (UK), 2025–2026

Group Exhibitions & Art Fairs
2025 — EXPO CHICAGO, USA
“Surface Tension, D…” – Carousel Fine Art Booth
Feature presentation of new works by Opake
(Source: Artsy CV — international art fair participation)

2025 — Artist Spotlight Exhibition, Atlanta, USA
Hosted by Meer Contemporary
Presentation of new mixed-media works exploring pop-culture fragmentation

2024–2025 — Carousel Fine Art (London, UK)
Gallery representation & ongoing showcase of original works

Collections (Public & Private)
UK, United States, Europe
Private collectors in London, Manchester, Atlanta, Chicago, Munich, Tokyo
Corporate collections (undisclosed, per gallery information)

Press & Media
2024 — Artist Spotlight Feature
Meer Contemporary (USA)
"Opake: The Disintegration of Pop Culture" — artist interview & feature

2024 — Social Impact Feature
The Big Issue (UK)
Coverage on Opake’s journey overcoming addiction and homelessness through art

2024 — Online Features
Populist Magazine
Contemporary Pop Culture Analysis articles featuring Opake’s work

Artistic Statement
Opake’s work investigates the psychological and cultural fragmentation of contemporary society. Using repetition, chaotic layering, and disruptive line structures, he deconstructs familiar characters from global pop culture to reveal the instability beneath collective nostalgia. His practice sits at the intersection of street art, pop art, and personal narrative, transforming lived experiences of addiction, recovery, and identity into bold, energetic compositions.