Proprietor and creative genius behind this DIY gem, Mark is Rockaway’s figurehead, chief alchemist, architect and schemer of bold and brave ideas.

Rockaway is Mark’s artistic creation and he follows in the footsteps of the conceptual greats, although he probably doesn’t even realise it…In that he turns defunct objects and other people’s cast offs and memorialises them into permanent works of art. Mark built this Utopia in the Somerset countryside with an unwavering vision and commitment to recycling and compassion.

Mark, an art school drop out from Yeovil, formed the seminal anarcho Punk band The Mob. After years of living on the road, Mark landed in this disused Quarry and set up a breakers yard. If you lived in a van in the South West in the early naughties chances are you would have come across Mark and bought spare parts from him. The scrap business unfortunately failed and Mark was left bruised  and bankrupt. Miraculously fate had other ideas as he managed to borrow the money to keep hold of the land. Out of the adversity, Rockaway Park was born.

Unclassified and hard to label, this DIY project offers something in short supply. Genuine hope. Hope that another way is possible. Rockaway is now host to a myriad of artist studios and events, and also has a happy community of residents that reside here all year round.

Mark’s ethos are parallel to those historical art movements such as Dada, Situationist, Pop Art, Punk art & Fluxus, in that he doesn’t seek permission and uses what already exists. This rough diamond buried in the Somerset hills survives on good old anarchist principles of solidarity not charity. It’s impossible not to meet Mark when you visit. You’ll usually be greeted by his big beaming smile from the cockpit of his forklift or you’ll hear his unmistakable infectious laughter filling the yard.

Mark’s mantra is simple one “For those who say it can’t be done, please stand clear of those doing it”