Photo by River Uhing

Mark Lyken is a film & sound artist based in rural Dumfriesshire, Scotland.

Mark has developed a personal and distinct approach to filmmaking. Embedding himself within communities, he builds relationships with individuals and works collaboratively to cultivate scenes that empower those on-screen on their terms.

Inspired by hybrid and experimental approaches, Mark’s work forefronts portraiture, place, rhythms and routines. Curiosity and responsiveness propel him to delve into the ‘underseen and underheard aspects of everyday life’ (Rachael Disbury, 2022). Using long-take cinematography, Mark’s films create a communal space between audience members and subjects - a space where narrative can unfold spontaneously and organically, holding the potential for magic.

His career as an artist was self-propelled through graffiti culture. Having grown up in working-class Dundee in the 80s, and not perceiving an academic route into the arts as something attainable then, he is sensitive to the power structures that can promote and obstruct creative development.

Mark’s films don’t always slot easily into defined genres. His work and style remain on the periphery - a place he is familiar with and arguably gravitates towards. He cares deeply about cultivating opportunities & elevating others through his creative practice, grounded in values of care, collaboration and reciprocity.

Mark releases sound works under his name and records Harsh Noise under the moniker Janza Slope.

He co-runs Soft Error, a creative studio & experimental label, with regular collaborator Emma Dove.



Mark’s new feature House of Gloss with Lana Mercury & Opal is currently in post-production & will premiere mid 2024.

His previous feature Notes From a Low Orbit is viewable worldwide on the independent streaming platform True Story.