Neil Gilks Bio
Neil Gilks is a British trained creative schooled at Central St.Martins College of Art and Design (CSM) – he gained his undergraduate in Womenswear design in 1997, then went on to achieve two Masters of the Arts at CSM in Womenswear (2001) and Menswear in 2006.
As a fashion designer he worked through the ranks to Design Director level, for fashion brands in London and NYC. In addition to his illustration and design career, Neil taught at Fashion design at CSM and other schools for over 8 years. He currently heads the Apparel department at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
At the age of 42 he enjoys driving the future of his department and preparing fresh minds for their careers.
Neil’s first love of illustration has accompanied his journey as a designer and educator and has allowed for notable opportunities and collaborations. Whilst in London he produced artwork for London Fashion week, held solo exhibitions and created large-scale paintings for Sir Terence Conran Architects. Fully illustrated the Diane von Furstenberg childrens book – The Empresses New Clothes – published by Harper Collins.
Recently with a new direction in his imagery, Neil has created artwork for print magazines;
- THEWILD, Mouthfeel, The New Republic – NYC
- Meat magazine – London
- Hipster- Paris
Held an exhibition in NYC at Printed Matter, and participated in the ‘Instinct’ group show in Berlin.
His current work of male figures explores the iconography found in gay subcultures, utilizes text and fashion branding to question underline ownership and cultural appropriation and never fails to underline the beauty of form and his intuitive approach to image making.
Neil always drew since a young child – but his passion was fully ignited at St.Martins – where he trained under and modeled for the illustrator Howard Tangye. Only in recent years has his depictions of males become the focus of his illustration gaining much interest from magazines and private collectors.
He utilizes instagram as his sole way of connecting – having forged many collaborations and relationships through this portal.
Neils subject matter or males, penis and the use of brand packaging drives his work – the opportunity to draw what he loves is most liberating and affords him a strong following.
Recently he has ventured into ceramics to further explore his imagery.
He draws daily…. And posts to his instagram neilsecluded if he gets a spare minute.
Frian Baad
Drawing by talented artist Frian Baad of Simon Skou.
PAKISTANI-DANISH ARTIST FUSING HERITAGE AND MODERNITY
ROOTED IN TWO WORLDS
As a Pakistani-Danish artist, I create from a space between cultures. Born and raised in Aabenraa as the son of a Pakistani guest worker, my identity is shaped by migration, resilience, and transformation. My upbringing is woven into every layer of my artistic expression, often grounded in the language and visual power of Arabic calligraphy.
LAYERS OF EXPRESSION
I work in an impressionist style with mixed media, combining acrylic, watercolor, and found materials on canvas. Every layer represents a fragment of daily life, information, emotion, and memory. Like the headlines and sounds that surround us, my art is layered, loud, and questioning.
ARABIC SCRIPT AS STRUCTURE
Arabic letters are not only symbols but structures in my work. They form grids, movement, and tension. My inspiration stems from both the architectural beauty of Arabic writing and its political power.
FROM RESISTANCE TO RESONANCE
My work often carries political undertones, influenced by the raw voice of artists like Bob Vylan. His fearless approach to truth-telling inspires my own visual protests—against silence, stereotypes, and simplification.
PAKISTANI-DANISH ARTIST ON A GLOBAL CANVAS
As a Pakistani-Danish artist navigating identity, diaspora, and global politics, I aim to spark conversations that go beyond borders. My practice is both personal and universal—and always unapologetically honest.
Keywords included: Pakistani-Danish artist, Arabic calligraphy, impressionist style, Aabenraa, mixed media, Bob Vylan, diaspora art, identity, political art, resistance art.
🇬🇧 Series: “WHISPERS OF WAR”
Artwork title: LAYERS OF LOSS – GAZA IN INK
40×40 cm | Acrylic & watercolor | Impressionist mixed media
This painting is part of the series “Death to the IDF” –
a collection built on Arabic letters, dissolving into fire, ash, and silence.
Each piece reflects a place, a pain, a presence –
layered like the news we absorb, and the truths we forget.
Collect one. Or witness the story unfold, canvas by canvas.
🇩🇰 Serie: “KRIGENS HVISKEN”
Værk: LAG AF TAB – GAZA I BLÆK
40×40 cm | Akryl og akvarel | Impressionistisk mix media
Dette værk er en del af serien “DEATH to the IDF” –
en række malerier bygget af arabiske bogstaver, opløst i ild, støv og tavshed.
Hvert lærred bærer en historie, et traume, en stemme –
lagt i lag som nyheder vi sluger, og sandheder vi glemmer.
Køb ét. Eller følg fortællingen lag for lag.
INSPIRATION
This series draws from the fierce spirit of artist Bob Vylan –
his raw voice, unapologetic energy, and the way he slices truth through noise.
I translate his rage and clarity into layers, textures, and color.
It’s resistance, pain, and defiance – captured in paint.
Gökhan Tanatar
Artist | Denmark, acrylic paintings on canvas. Prices and request: 
info@tanatar.dk www.tanatar.dk