Jeff Birkbeck was born in Blackburn in 1972 and has lived in Lancashire for most of his life. He studied Art & Design at Blackburn College and worked as a metallurgist in Preston for three years, before becoming a professional car sprayer for the family business. This is where he first began to use acrylic on steel in his artwork. Jeff explains, "I have been working with steel for the last 7 years and find it a versatile & exciting material to use on its own or with paint."

The simplicity of this aim shows that there is no pretence about his intentions. An interesting aspect of his work is that the materials he uses are recycled. He only uses recycled steel, scrap metal, old paints, faulty mixes & paints without labels. His desire and ability to make something of beauty from these unwanted materials shows resourcefulness and ingenuity.

"Jeff's art is unavoidably strong, intriguing and visionary. With titles such as 'Brave New World', 'Liquid Steel', 'Virus', 'Amatol', 'Sahara', 'Nebula' and 'Venom', Jeff is aware of the semiotics at work. His artwork is exciting, explosive, ecological, geological, geographical, elemental, microbiological, universal, and compellingly futuristic."

Phil Harwood, Director, Ascot Studios