While in London to deliver a lecture about the Millennium Dome, I visited the shop of renowned artist and illustrator Mr Bingo—a move that turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip. It was my brother’s birthday too, so I commissioned a gift—a hilariously offensive, personalised card in his signature style. Mr Bingo is known for his razor-sharp wit and no-holds-barred offensiveness. His work combines cruel insults with striking illustrations, and spending time in his creative space was a must-see experience.
Stepping Into Mr Bingo’s Creative Space
As soon as I entered Mr Bingo’s shop and studio, I instantly recognised his distinctive artwork. Having backed his Kickstarter project—Hate Mail: The Definitive Collection, a retrospective of his infamous postcard series—I’ve followed his work ever since, and many of the pieces on display were instantly recognisable. The shop had a welcoming yet anarchic vibe—walls covered with his iconic illustrations and razor-sharp insults, art supplies stuffed into pots, and unfinished pieces scattered across his desk. Moreover, the space felt like an extension of his mind—brilliant and unapologetically raw.
Watching Mr Bingo at Work – Sort Of
Meeting the artist in person was a highlight. He was surprisingly obliging—quite the opposite of his artwork. At one point, I had the chance to photograph him “at work”—or, at least, pretending to be. With his signature delivery, he staged the moment, declaring, “I am pretending to do a drawing for the purpose of a fucking photo.” Perfect! It was a performance as much as a behind-the-scenes glimpse, blending his irreverent personality with the artistic process.
A Shrine to Insults
Inside the shop, an array of artwork greets visitors. From his darkly funny typographic prints to conceptual illustrations like the Worst of Mum + Worst of Dad Venn diagram, many pieces showcase his ability to turn blunt insults into art. Thus, it’s no surprise that his 150K online followers and celebrity fans like legendary painter David Hockey admire his brilliantly crafted offensiveness.
Prints That Mock You
Among the many works on display were limited edition prints like This Will Be A Fucker To Frame and The Correct Way, each proving that Mr Bingo has perfected the art of making people laugh while mildly insulting them. Seeing these pieces in person made me appreciate how cleverly he integrates text and imagery. Simply put, his work turns the everyday into something wicked and unexpectedly brilliant.
A Peek Inside the Mind of Mr Bingo
A fascinating part of Mr Bingo’s shop and studio is the wall near his workspace, which he covers in a carefully curated collection of notes. For example, scribbled insults, half-formed ideas, and absurd phrases alongside rough sketches offer a glimpse into his creative process. Some notes looked like fleeting thoughts, while others hinted at potential future projects. Overall, this wall felt like a raw, unfiltered glimpse into his brain—spontaneous, scathing and often hilarious.
Left-Handed and Proud: A Smudge of Genius
While browsing, I noticed that Mr Bingo draws with his left hand—just like my son. Seeing this led me to buy one of his framed original drawings, which proudly declared, “Left-handed smudgy fucker”. The phrase was crude, accurate and perfect—a celebration of the quirks that make us who we are, wrapped up in Mr Bingo’s signature offensiveness.
Taking Home a Concrete Reminder to Have Fun
Before leaving, I couldn’t resist buying one of his concrete gravestones engraved with Don’t forget to have fun—a wonderfully bleak yet strangely uplifting message. Visiting Mr Bingo’s shop wasn’t just about seeing great art; it was about experiencing the creative mind behind it. He isn’t just an artist known for raw humour—he’s a craftsman who values quality and authenticity, sourcing materials locally and supporting other skilled artisans.
Why You Need to Visit Mr Bingo
So, if you ever get the chance, don’t miss out on visiting Mr Bingo’s shop. Whether you’re a fan or enjoy brutally funny artwork, it’s worth the trip. His work will make you laugh, shock you, and showcase the art of a perfectly delivered insult. In a world that often takes itself too seriously, His creations are a refreshing reminder to embrace a bit of well-crafted offensiveness.
More Photos from My Visit
Below are more photos from my visit, showcasing the artist, his creative space and his brilliantly vicious artwork.
If you enjoyed this (or were mildly offended), like, share and spread the word about Mr Bingo’s brilliant rudeness. Because let’s be honest—art this sharp-witted deserves to be shared.