Paul Simon Meets Charlie Mackesy: ‘Seven Psalms’ Exhibition Opens in London
Paul Simon and Charlie Mackesy unite for a free London exhibition, turning Mayfair’s No.9 Cork Street into a visual‑musical dialogue around the album Seven Psalms.
Charlie Mackesy: Inspirational Art that Fuels Passion and Purpose
When you meet Charlie Mackesy, a British illustrator celebrated for gentle, uplifting drawings that blend humor and humanity. Also known as the creator of “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse”, his work reaches readers of all ages. His illustration, the craft of visual storytelling using simple lines and heartfelt captions often appears alongside children’s literature, books that nurture imagination and empathy in young minds, and even finds a place in art therapy, a practice that uses creative expression to support mental well‑being.
Across the globe, fans of Charlie Mackesy quote his simple wisdom on everything from boardrooms to racetracks. When a Formula 1 driver pauses on the grid and reads, “What do you love? What do you love most?” the message lands like a pit‑stop reminder to stay grounded. The high‑speed world of MotoGP, where riders chase milliseconds, has embraced his ideas about kindness and perseverance, using them as mental anchors during intense training. In this way, Charlie Mackesy’s artistic philosophy becomes a teammate for athletes who chase the edge.
Why Mackesy Matters Across Different Worlds
His drawings also travel beyond sport and land in community projects that need a splash of hope. The recent Channel 4 series featuring Jon Richardson’s effort to revive a historic Yorkshire pub used Mackesy‑style sketches on the walls to remind locals of shared heritage. The simple line work sparked conversation among patrons, turning a dusty building into a vibrant gathering spot. This crossover shows that his visual language can bridge the gap between a television set, a local pub, and a bustling newsroom—all places where people seek connection.
For anyone who has stared down a dangerous corner on a race track, the mental toll can be heavy. Studies from sports psychology departments now cite Mackesy’s gentle affirmations as tools in art‑therapy sessions for drivers recovering from crashes. By translating his words into sketches, therapists give racers a non‑verbal way to process fear, turning a traumatic experience into a canvas of growth. The same technique helps firefighters, like the 70‑person crew battling the Beckenham roof blaze, to find calm after an adrenaline‑fueled shift.
The collection of articles on this site mirrors that breadth. From the roar of a Saudi Pro League record‑breaking goal to the quiet resilience of a typhoon‑hit airport, each story finds a common thread in Mackesy’s belief that “the very best thing to get on a broken street . . . is a neighbour who will lend you a hand.” Below, you’ll find pieces that explore that simple truth in context—whether it’s a fire crew’s teamwork, a politician’s bold alliance, or an athlete’s record‑breaking run. Dive in and see how a single line of art can echo across so many different headlines.