Cosmopolis
There are more than eight billion people on Earth. Most of us live in cities and for many that is all they have known.
The Cosmopolis works are inspired by the vibrant cultures of cities. They will be publicly exhibited for the first time at the Beyond The Blueprint exhibition at The Fifty-Six gallery in London from 29 October 2026 until 31 January 2027.
“Tokyo at two am, pavements and alleyways reflecting the rain; intensified by red light, strobes, characters, sounds and reflections. The original Bladerunner; call it the Crimson City………London’s Soho at midnight; beer on carpets, smells and sauce. Falling over pavements; chewing gum on the floor…… where’s my cell-phone? Shouting; happiness, music and street-dance. This is the stuff of modern life”.
Stephen McGrath
Crimson City Vignettes 2025
Archival original pigment prints on Japanese Awagami Unryu paper
Artwork 22 x 33 cm ( paper 29.7 x 42 cm )
Stephen McGrath
Crimson City Scroll 2026
Archival original pigment print on Japanese Awagami Unryu paper
Artwork 45 × 150 cm ( paper 60 × 180 cm )
Stephen McGrath
Crimson City 03:00 2026 Prototype
Archival original pigment print on Japanese Awagami Unryu paper
Artwork 22 x 33 cm ( paper 29.7 x 42 cm )
sketchbook posted from the Cosmopolis
when the world sleeps
the sound of time
the speed of sound
markings from the sidewalk; Soho London