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Following an encounter with the UK court system at the age of 19, after deliberately crashing his car into two police cars, Marcus Dove was offered an alternative to imprisonment — the opportunity to continue pursuing further education. Embracing this opportunity, Dove stayed true to his recalcitrant nature and spent his time developing an artistic style that incorporates pyrotechnics (materials capable of undergoing exothermic reactions) commonly found within the chaos of protest, such as smoke grenades and home-made explosives.

The artist utilises pyrotechnics as a means to explore the concept of 'creation via destruction,' his artistic repertoire embodies a diverse range of expressions, from large-scale works on canvas to photography. At the core of his process lies a profound reliance on media such as gunpowder, smoke grenades, and other explosive materials. 

Dove received his college diploma in Art & Design followed by the completion of a Bachelor of Fine Arts, as well as a postgraduate course in Creative Business & Innovation in 2017, before finalising his education on a Master's degree in Art & Science at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts, London.

Dove's talent was recognised early in his career through an exhibition at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery in London where he exhibited ‘Two Birds & The Sun’, a piece of work made with a self-manufactured electrical missile launcher and pyrotechnics. This milestone not only opened doors for showcasing his work at the Asia Contemporary Art Fair in Hong Kong but also earned him notable commissions along the way, such as a commemoration to the Baroness Doreen Lawrence, OBE, titled ‘And Still She Rises’.

Dove has garnered significant media attention for his distinctive artistic process, with multiple appearances on BBC News and features in various publications. His intriguing body of work has been presented in numerous solo exhibitions, including ‘Fading Figures’, an exhibition featuring powerful paintings capturing the female form by scorching vibrant colours onto canvas with the aid of smoke grenades. Renowned World of FAD magazine ranked it among the top five exhibitions to see in London in 2019.

Notably, Dove's recent accomplishments include exhibiting in a group show with JD Malat Gallery for the Isolation Mastered exhibition. Additionally, he held 'Raw Language,' a solo exhibition centred around his abstract works, which took place in London's esteemed Mayfair district in partnership with Karnik Gallery in 2022. Furthermore, he presented his latest solo show, 'Abstract Entropy,' at Mayfair's 12 Hay Hill in collaboration with J Nicholls Projects in 2023 and has taken part in various group shows such as ‘Where Do I Begin’ with Secteur Prive, London, 2024.

Dove has also maintained his tradition of collaborating with renowned artists. In August 2022, Dove teamed up with Yinka Shonibare, applying his pyrotechnical methods to create a striking 3D sculpture as part of the World Reimagined project.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Marcus Dove contributes to the educational mission of Pedestrian, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing enriching education, training, and outreach programs for at-risk youth, vulnerable adults, and underserved communities by serving as an arts tutor.