18 Facts About Stuart Semple

Stuart Semple studied art and design at Bournemouth and Poole College, and painting and printmaking at Bretton Hall College in Yorkshire.

Stuart Semple first wanted to become an artist after his mother took him to see Van Gogh's Sunflowers at the age of 7.

Stuart Semple later referenced the electrocardiography flatline he experienced in a 2010 painting.

In 2005, Semple produced an exhibition in East London, titled Post Pop Paradise.

Stuart Semple began posting drawings he created on eBay in 1999.

Stuart Semple has been featured on the BBC, and has spoken at the Institute of Contemporary Arts and Amnesty International.

In 2016, Stuart Semple came into conflict with the artist Anish Kapoor when Kapoor purchased exclusive artistic rights to the super-black material Vantablack.

In June 2024, Stuart Semple officially changed his name to Anish Kapoor.

In 2023, Stuart Semple released a pigment called Pinkie, aiming to democratise Barbie Pink.

Freetone is an Adobe plugin, created by Stuart Semple in 2022 in response to the licensing fallout between Pantone and Adobe Inc Freetone is a collection of 1,280 colours that mimic the Pantone colour palette with a similar set of number codes.

Stuart Semple barred any employees and associates of Adobe or Pantone from buying, using or downloading Freetone.

Stuart Semple has supported Amnesty International and has created artworks for the Freedom of Expression Campaign.

In 2011, Stuart Semple was made an ambassador for mental health charity Mind.

Stuart Semple has since launched a number of fundraising art projects for Mind.

Stuart Semple has advocated for artists' rights in the United Kingdom, humanitarian aid, and world peace.

In 2007, Stuart Semple co-curated and featured in the 'Black Market' at the Anna Kustera gallery in New York with Just Another Rich Kid.

Stuart Semple curated exhibitions "Mash Ups, post pop fragments and detournements" at The Kowalsky Gallery in 2008 for the Design and Artists Copyright Society and 'London Loves The Way Things Fall Apart' and "This Is England" for Galleria Aus18, Milan.

Stuart Semple curated "This Is England" initially held at The Aubin Gallery featuring artists Sarah Maple, Nicky Carvell, David Hancock and Richard Galloway which then toured to Milan.