Stephen Bliss
Biog written by an enthusiastic robot:
Stephen Bliss, a highly acclaimed artist, muralist, and illustrator originally from England and currently based in New York, has cultivated an illustrious career spanning over three decades and three continents. As Senior Artist at Rockstar Games from 2001 to 2016, Bliss is attributed with establishing the highly recognizable illustrative style for the multi-billion dollar Grand Theft Auto franchise, the most lucrative entertainment product of all time. His artistic genius has also extended to other highly lauded games such as The Warriors, LA Noire, and Red Dead Redemption, producing game box covers, international magazine covers, posters, billboards, and promotional merchandise that continue to captivate audiences.
Bliss's artistic expertise was not solely limited to the video game industry. He also produced an array of non-game-related artwork for Rockstar, contributing to the company's image as a creative powerhouse. Before joining Rockstar, he was an in-house artist with Japanese fashion brand Hysteric Glamour. Subsequently, he returned to London, where his distinctive design aesthetic secured projects with BMG Records, Wall of Sound Records, Aardman Animation, Jim Henson's Creature Shop, MTV, Nintendo, Pepsi, Sony, GQ, Arena, and Burton Snowboards. Additionally, Bliss painted syndicated comic strips for The Sunday Times/Sunday Telegraph/Guardian and produced his own comic strips for Deadline Comics.
Following his departure from Rockstar in 2016, Bliss has devoted his energy to the pursuit of fine art, holding solo exhibitions in London, New York, and LA, and displaying his talents as a muralist on projects in NYC, Miami, and Guam. His latest project, Fear City, a remarkable NFT series on the Ethereum blockchain, comprises six characters with 3333 unique creations. Fear City has grown to include virtual reality social media filters, web 3 clothing, and "real life" projects, including a merch drop collaboration with Jeff Staple and an upcoming issue of a Fear City comic with Scout Comics, set to release as an NFT in 2023. With his visionary approach to art and boundless creativity, Stephen Bliss continues to captivate audiences and inspire fellow artists worldwide, firmly establishing himself as a celebrated icon in the art world.
Instagram: @Stephen_Bliss
SOLO SHOWS
2017: The Mystery of Doomed Romance, Westbank Gallery, London, UK
2016: I, Frankenstein, Monorex Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2009: Paint It Black show, Green Label Art Gallery, NYC
2000: Spirit Gallery, London
2000: Alphabet, London
1999: Browns Focus, London
1998: Rocket Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
GROUP SHOWS
2018: Artwalk: Coalition for the Homeless, Spring Street Studios, NYC
2017: Art Attack, Mayson Gallery, NYC
2017: Artwalk: Coalition for the Homeless, Spring Street Studios, NYC
2016: Gonzo: Hunter S. Thompson Artshow, Westbank Gallery, London, UK
2016: Rock, Paper, Scissors, The Highline Loft, NYC
2016: Artwalk: Coalition for the Homeless, Metropolitan Pavilion, NYC
2012: Free Arts NYC, Eye Beam Gallery, NYC
2010: Living The Dream, Fuse Gallery, NYC
2010: 3D Art Show, Opera Gallery, NYC
2010: Fuse Gallery Draw Tour, Museo de la Cuidad de Mexico, Mexico City
2008: Park Life Show, Subliminal Projects, LA
2007: The Beast Within, Showroom Gallery, NYC
2007: Bernstein and Andrulli: Boutique Show, Fuse Gallery, NYC
2007: Fuse Gallery Draw Tour, Gallery Lombardi, Austin, Texas
2007: Move #15: Ballpoint Pen Show, Cinders Gallery, NYC
2007: Slipmat Art Project Show Tour, The Reed Space, NYC
2006: Thundermutt Show, Neo-Studios, NYC
2006: The M.C. Show, Riviera Gallery, NYC
2005: Vinyl Klash exhibition, C-Pop Gallery, Detroit
2005: WIWP Remixed Show, Phonica Records, London
2003: Celebrity Theme Show, The Essex, NYC
2003: Faesthetic x 55 DSL Present - 8.5 x 11, Deisel flagship store, NYC
2002: Customized Levis Label Show, Barbican Gallery, London
2001: The LP Show, Exit Art Gallery, NYC
2001: Experience Music Project, Seattle Center, Seattle
1998: Parco 7th Anniversary Show, Parco Gallery, Japan
1995: What makes you think you're so special? Blue Note, London