Yorkshire artist shares 30 years of paper bag portraits

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 05:15 · Archive

Leeds-based Mik Artistik, known as the brown paper bag man, will present his Bags of Life project at York Explore Library.

Mik Artistik, a Leeds-based artist and musician known as the brown paper bag man, will present his Bags of Life project at York Explore Library on Friday, 6 November from 3pm to 4.30pm. The event will showcase portraits, anecdotes and experiences gathered over three decades of drawing people on ordinary brown paper bags using only a biro.

Mik discovered the idea during a trip to Ireland in 1983, shortly after teaching himself to draw portraits. What began as a simple artistic exercise developed into a lifelong project. Over 30 years, he estimates he created more than 20,000 portraits. 'The bag held secrets. It was a container. It had mystery. As we do,' he said of the concept. 'Everyone ended up on the bag. Judges, butchers, babies, housewives. It was the great leveller.'

The project took him into workplaces, pubs, offices, garages and funeral parlours. Mik has built a devoted following through his artwork and performances with Mik Artistik's Ego Trip, appearing at major festivals including Glastonbury, Latitude and Leeds Festival. During the York event, visitors will hear stories from his book, Bags of Life, which chronicles his encounters with people from all walks of life.

How it is being reported

• Meet the Yorkshire artist who spent 30 years drawing strangers on paper bagsYorkshire artist and musician Mik Artistik will share artwork, music and remarkable stories from his Bags of Life project at a special event in YorkGazette & Herald (Malton) · 1 Nov, 05:00
• Meet the Yorkshire artist who spent 30 years drawing strangers on paper bagsYorkshire artist and musician Mik Artistik will share artwork, music and remarkable stories from his Bags of Life project at a special event in YorkYork Press · 1 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Mik Artistik · York Explore Library · Leeds · Glastonbury · Latitude · Leeds Festival

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