Mary Stephenson (b. 1989, London) lives and works in London where she will complete her postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy Schools in 2022 after graduating from the Glasgow School of Art in 2011. Recent exhibitions include those at Bosse & Baum, London (2020); Harlesden High Street, London (2020); Super Dakota, Brussels (2020); After Nyne Gallery, London (2019) (solo); Pestana CR 7, Lisbon (2018); Downstairs at Mother, London (2017 and 2014) (solo); and HIX Cock ‘n’ Bull Gallery, London (2015). Stephenson’s practice encompasses painting, photography and ceramic sculpture. In her 2017 My Man series, Stephenson tackles real-life singledom with a playful approach that explores social attitudes around romance by creating imaginary boyfriends out of paint, clay and paper and photographing herself with them on fantasy dates in elaborately staged tableaux, complete with theatrical props and backdrops.