KID ACNE

Kid Acne (b. Malawi, 1978) is a UK-based artist, illustrator and emcee. Working under the name since 1996, his practice spans graffiti, street art, printmaking and music. Emerging from early 90s fanzines and experimental hip-hop, his work has developed over three decades through a consistent commitment to drawing and independent production.

He creates large-scale murals and silkscreen editions built around bold graphic forms, recurring characters and symbolic motifs. His studio work remains rooted in a hand-drawn process, shaped by the DIY ethos that informed his formative years. He has painted across five continents and exhibited internationally, including at Saatchi Gallery, London and PICA, Perth.

As an emcee, he has released music on Lex Records, Lewis Recordings and Invisible Spies, performing across the UK, North America and Europe. He has created artwork for Kenzo, Prada, Levi’s, Universal Works, Warp Records, Big Dada, Fat Beats, Kid Robot, Brompton, Channel 4 and BBC Radio 6 Music.

He lives and works in Sheffield.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2019
Have A Word / S1 Artspace, Sheffield (UK)
2017
Mark My Words / C.A.V.E Gallery, Los Angeles (US)
2015
Destined For Greatness / C.A.V.E Gallery, Los Angeles (US)
2014
The Return / Galo Art Gallery, Turin (IT)
2012
Damn Straight / Inoperable Gallery, Vienna (AT)
Stand And Deliver / C.A.V.E Gallery, Los Angeles (US)
2011
Cloak And Dagger / Other Gallery, Beijing (CN)
Kill Your Darlings / Millennium Gallery / Sheffield Museums, Sheffield (UK)
Rhythm Is A Dancer / Stolen Space, London (UK)
2010
When The Smoke Clears / Concrete Hermit, London (UK)
2009
Smoke And Mirrors / Stella Dore, London (UK)

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024
40 Years Of Insane / Room Mate Gallery, Tokyo (JP)
Not Quite Disney / Jealous Gallery, London (UK)
2023
Visible Planets / Biscuit Factory, Denver (US)
2022
10 / Wish Less Gallery, Tokyo (JP)
2020
Rise / Carriageworks, Sydney (AU)
2018
La Bagatelle / Costume 3 Pièces, Paris (FR)
Word / Kult Gallery, Singapore (SG)
2017
Altered States / Saatchi Gallery, London (UK)
2014
Wu-Tang Is For The Children / Londonewcastle Project Space, London (UK)
2013
Tiny Trifecta / Cotton Candy Machine, New York (US)
2012
Scratch 17 / Londonewcastle Project Space, London (UK)
2011
Street Art Saved My Life / C.A.V.E Gallery, Los Angeles (US)
2010
Never Judge / Stolen Space, London (UK)
2005
Graphic / Fredericks & Freiser Gallery, New York (US)
Girls / Myymälä2 Gallery, Helsinki (FI)
2004
Application / Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (AU)
2001
Graffiti: Concrete Or Wallpaper? / Swiss Embassy, London (UK)
1996
Graffiti Bastards / Custard Factory, Birmingham (UK)

SELECTED PROJECTS

2025
Walk In Your Purpose And Trust In The Process / FoSCC, Sheffield (UK)
2024
Positive Energy Activates Constant Elevation / Platform, Leeds (UK)
2023
Bring The Paint / Leicester (UK)
2022
You Had To Be There / Arroz Estúdios, Lisbon (PT)
2018
Outdoor Festival / Mattatoio, Rome (IT)
2016
Feature Walls / Sheffield (UK)
2012
Zebra Face / Random Acts / Channel 4 (UK)
Le M.U.R / Paris (FR)
2011
Night Birds / Kenzo Showroom, Paris (FR)
2010
Primary Flight / Miami (US)
Underbelly Project / New York (US)
2009
Rollin’ Stock / Kid Robot, New York (US)
2006
Unspoken Dialogue / Prada, Milan (IT)
British Council Cultural Exchange / Baku (AZ)
Joondalup Festival / Joondalup, Perth (AU)

DISCOGRAPHY

KID ACNE
LPs
2024
Totemic Template (Edna & Friends Vol. 1) / Invisible Spies
2023
Hauntology Codes / Lex Records
2021
Null And Void / Lewis Recordings
2019
Have A Word / Lex Records
2007
Romance Ain’t Dead / Lex / EMI
2003
Council Pop / Invisible Spies
2001
Rap Traffic / Invisible Spies
EPs / Singles
2024
Haunted Codex / Cassette EP / Invisible Spies
2022
Zep Tepi Flex / Cassette EP / Lewis Recordings
2020
Fresh To Death / Cassette EP / Invisible Spies
2004
Reality Raps / 12″ EP / Invisible Spies
2003
Zub-Zub Rockerz / 7″ / Electro Caramel
2002
Regarde Kid Acne / 7″ / Invisible Spies
2001
Squirrel Hunters / 7″ / Invisible Spies

MONGRELS
LPs
2016
Attack The Monolith / Invisible Spies
EPs / Singles
2018
Over Eggin’ It / 7″ / Invisible Spies
2017
Attack The Megalith / 12″ EP / Invisible Spies
2016
Burgundy Blood Meets Mongrels In The Pop Wilderness / Cassette EP / Invisible Spies
2015
Low Budget, High Concept / 10″ EP / Invisible Spies
You Dig Raps? (Part 1) / 7″ / Invisible Spies
2001
Fresh Arrangements / 7″ / Invisible Spies
1997
Slingshots / 7″ / C.U. Next Tuesday

TOAH DYNAMIC
LPs
2002
Cops Hate Our Love / Invisible Spies
2000
Movement / Invisible Spies
EPs / Singles
2000
Son Of A Copper / 7″ EP / Invisible Spies
Harvest Festival / 7″ EP / Invisible Spies
1996
Hip-Hop Gymkhana / 7″ EP / C.U. Next Tuesday

FEATURES
2023
Raw Lessons / Spectacular Diagnostics / LP / Rucksack Records
2022
The Living Dead / I-Monster / Lathe Cut 7″ / Heaven’s Lathe
2003
Car Paint Scheme / Req / LP / Warp Records