Bravespears

About

Gerard McDonagh is a London-based artist and printmaker whose work explores the power of storytelling through bold, graphic visuals. Drawing inspiration from history, popular culture, and the visual language of protest and fandom, he creates limited-edition prints that connect deeply with contemporary audiences. His practice is rooted in screenprinting and risograph techniques, with each edition printed by hand in his studio. Gerard embraces the slight variations that come with manual processes while striving for a strong visual consistency across his series.

With a background in filmmaking, Gerard brings a cinematic sensibility to his compositions — layering meaning, iconography, and atmosphere in a way that recalls the emotional impact of a film still or poster. His influences range from wartime ephemera to 90s rave flyers, and from sports iconography to overlooked fragments of everyday life. The result is work that feels immediate, nostalgic, and sharply observant.

Gerard’s prints have been exhibited at venues including the Highgate Art Fair, the Picture House in Crouch End, and the Playroom Gallery near Archway, where he held a solo pop-up show in May 2025. His pieces are held in private collections across the UK and beyond. In addition to prints, he also produces a range of handmade goods such as t-shirts, stationery, and greeting cards.

Always open to collaboration, Gerard enjoys working with curators, designers, and arts organisations on creative projects. His work can be found online at www.bravespears.com and on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @bravespear.