top of page
Ged Wells, who grew up on the Isle of Wight, began channeling art through his Insane skateboard clothing brand while working as an archaeological illustrator in 1984. Proactive in 1980s UK skateboarding DIY culture, Wells then began competing internationally, creating ramps and zines with friends, and contributing to skate zines across the UK. This led to a position as an illustrator and features writer for R.A.D skateboard magazine.
His art and his Insane brand grew in popularity at the start of the 90s, gaining profile through skate publications, as well as The Face, iD, Blitz, The Guardian and other style media. Insane was subsequently promoted by Hiroshi Fujiwara in Japan, and distributed by Slam City Skates/Rough Trade in London.
​
Wells has exhibited paintings, drawings, collage and character sculptures since the early 1990s. His works are laced with surreal narrative and anthropomorphic illusion, which is also woven into Insane identity and product collections.
As designer/creative, Wells has provided solutions for Wolff Olins, Playstation, Mars and Louis Vuitton, as well as identity for independents such as Wiiija Records and The Idler magazine. One hundred of his illustrations can also be found in The Book of Idle Pleasures, published by Ebury Press.
​
Wells has consulted on events and projects for; Playstation, Design Junction, Trisickle magazine, and recently, community projects with John Hansard Galley in Southampton.
About: Text
Solo Exhibitions
2020; Shark Fin, skate sculpture at Slamma skate event, Southampton.
2018; Insane Paradise, repeat prints at Queens Arms In Walthamstow, London.
2017; Epoch of the Succulent Anarchipelago, collage at Huck coffee and music space in Walthamstow London.
2017; The Blue Horse, stencil paintings and product collection with FMAM and Hiroshi Fujiwara's Pool Aoyama store Tokyo.
2016; The Insane Aviary, sculptures and paintings at True Romance gallery, Truro.
2016; The Wild Strawberry Menagerie, collage at the Cotswold Design store.
2015; Nihilistic Puppets, paintings and drawings at Thunders store London.
2015; Elephant Lanterns, Haha sculpture installations at Port Eliot Festival.
2014; The Elep Hunt, illustrated clue filled story, edition book and sculpture treasure hunt at Port Eliot festival.
2014; Ye Simile Olde Stories, drawings and prints; Blackduke Mid Century, Walthamstow.
2013; Pies are Scared, unique stencil paintings; Slice Hove.
2013; Exotic Bird Dances, paintings, drawings, sculpture, Stand Up skate store London.
2013; Vegetables Will Inherit the Earth; drawings and prints, Arsenal greengrocers, Finsbury Park.
2013; This Wrong Dimension; drawings, sculpture and prints, B-Side store London.
2013; Ye Simile Olde Stories, drawings and prints; Get Around skate store, Isle of Wight.
2012; Teleport Opto Elephonics, sculpture diorama shed instillation, Port Eliot festival, Cornwall.
2011; Time and Relative Dimensions in Strawberry, sculpture and painted collage, Kiosk gallery, Wales.
2011; Plateau of Radiant Elephant, sculptures in the round room of St Germans, Port Elliot festival.
2010; The Rambling Pachyder’macs, drawings, sculptures and installation at Port Eliot festival.
2009; Insane Bears of Paradise, paintings and ink drawings at Tokishirazu, United Arrows, Tokyo.
2009; Birds of Paradise, paintings, ink drawings and sculptures at Pure Evil gallery London.
2009; Chavant Guards, surreal collage at Pure Evil gallery London
2009; Idle Pleasures, ink drawings at Three Kings, London. For The book of Idle pleasures, published by Ebury Press.
2008; Good Bacteria Petting Farm, drawings and paintings at Revolver skateboard shop, Ryde, Isle of Wight.
2007; Creatures of Paradise, paintings, drawings and sculptures at The Brick Lane galley, London.
2007; The Birch Boxer, ink drawings at Highgate Woods lodge.
2006; Muppets Win Prizes, ink drawings projected at Boogaloo, Portobello rd.
2006; No More Pets, paintings at Nepenthes gallery, Sapporo, Japan.
2005; Cats lick Sinners, paintings, charcoal drawings and sculptures at Cystem Gallery, Tokyo.
2005; Insane Bedroom, paintings and sculptures at Cystem Gallery, Tokyo.
2003, Projected repeats, insane at 333 Old street.
2003; Animal Magic, paintings at Bricklayers Arms, Shoreditch, London.
2003; Curious Confrontations, ink drawings and hand painted clothing at The Old Curiosity shop, Holborn.
2002; Cats and Dogs, paintings at pop up gallery in Dean Street, Soho.
2001; Soul Bouncers, paintings and painted boots at Dr Martens store, Covent Garden.
1999; Cafe met Sadly, ink drawings and poetry projections, pop up gallery Soho.
1997; Monsters are coming, paintings at Insane skateboard shop, Camden.
1996; Creatures of War, paintings at Bar Vinyl in Camden.
1996; Animals Dreaming, character sculptures at Mark Wigan’s bar in Soho.
1995; Flirt, ink drawings, character iconography derived from London’s Soho. St Annes Court Soho.
1994; In Sanity We Trust, ink drawings, distorted ideas of paranormal phenomena. St Annes Court Soho.
1990; Happy boys and Girls, masks, zine and falling strawberries, Wag Club, London.
​
​
Group Exhibitions
2021; All Adrift, sculptures, St Denys Boat Club, Southampton.
2019; PLANK, Ged Wells and James Jarvis at Quay Arts Centre, Isle of Wight,
2015; Ventnor Exchange, paintings, prints and resin editions for skatepark fundraiser.
2014; Goodhood store, sculptural skateboard Save Southbank fundraiser.
2013; YSOS, prints, Bradbury and Blanchard gallery, Sheffield.
2013; Egg Hunt, Sculpture for Action for Children, Covent Garden.
2013; Independent State of Mind, Sculptures, Factory Gallery London.
2011; Fleurnication, sculptures at The Modern Institute, Glasgow.
2011; Robbo Benefit, custom prints, Pure Evil Gallery, London.
2010; The Ten Condiments, part of Blisters Blackout, Print Club london.
2010; Skullduggerous, produced multiple skull works, Bhopal Medical Appeal charity at Pure Evil, London.
2010; Water Pots, sculpture for BMA, with Chapman Brothers, Gary Hume, Tracy Emin etc.
2005; Moving Units, paintings on walls of Southbank skatepark at Royal Festival Hall.
2004; Surface Inbetween, paintings and sculptures at Arthouse, Hoxton .
1997; Scratch, paintings alongside Etch, The Roots at the Forum.
1997; Scratch Paintings, alongside Etch, for set of De La Soul at Jazz Cafe.
1996; Spittoon Town, sculptures, paintings exhibited alongside Etch, Simon Periton, Sean Kimber, Alan Kane and Dawsonix.
About: Bio
bottom of page