Ale Mercado

Alé Mercado is a talented advocate of a powerful and edgy style of illustration which is emerging from the underground art scene. Alé’s work is very graphic and has a strong, dark and witty style that fits into the rock/marginal/lifestyle genres. His work has been used extensively by NGOs, local authorities, environmental agencies, theatre companies, arts festivals and concerts. Alé’s designs and illustrations are created digitally while retaining the expression of traditional media, namely pen and ink, screen printing and woodcutting. His illustrations have often been described as totally energetic, yet well organised – reflective of his 20-year career as a graphic designer and illustrator. His work is consistently radical and fresh, and illustrating comics and designing posters are two areas he is passionate about. In 2005 he was awarded Best Design Illustration from the Illustrators Guild of Ireland.