The inaugural issue of mates magazine brings together 50 emerging creatives; Photographers from Accra, nail artists from Hong Kong, dub musicians from Bristol, fine art painters from Brighton, and young creatives from Kuala Lumpur. Curated profiles, interviews, personal stories and imagery dominate the 200+ pages of the issue with one simple goal: to showcase emerging creatives across the industry. Selected works and artists were featured in our group exhibition at a London gallery in September 2025.
TESTIMONIALS
“As a former magazine publisher, it’s rare that I come across a launch publication that’s as well considered and appealing as mates magazine. It’s a crazy cool idea that the whole industry should really get behind. It’s been a privilege to be a very small part of it.”
SIMON MELBER
Issue 001 contributor. Photographer,
“This was my first time working in a group collaboration, and it gave me confidence in my individual practice and in communicating and delivering as part of a team. I’m now doing a Masters that involves group collaboration, and I’m very grateful to have had the mates magazine experience beforehand.”
ANNA MAYS
Issue 001 contributor. Early-career,
multi-disciplinary artist.
“The project gave me the space to put my own creative vision forward in a larger role than I would normally take on. It allowed me to test my ideas and capabilities in a supportive, well-structured environment. Many of the connections I made during the exhibition and the shoot are still part of my professional network today and continue to shape how I engage with the industry.”
ESME ROTELLA
Issue 001 contributor. Early-career,
Art Director & Prop maker.
SIMON MELBER
Issue 001 contributor. Photographer,
“This was my first time working in a group collaboration, and it gave me confidence in my individual practice and in communicating and delivering as part of a team. I’m now doing a Masters that involves group collaboration, and I’m very grateful to have had the mates magazine experience beforehand.”
ANNA MAYS
Issue 001 contributor. Early-career,
multi-disciplinary artist.
“The project gave me the space to put my own creative vision forward in a larger role than I would normally take on. It allowed me to test my ideas and capabilities in a supportive, well-structured environment. Many of the connections I made during the exhibition and the shoot are still part of my professional network today and continue to shape how I engage with the industry.”
ESME ROTELLA
Issue 001 contributor. Early-career,
Art Director & Prop maker.
CONTRIBUTORS
FRESH SALAD
EMILY SOFALY
ALEXANDER ARDISSON
AYSHA LEACH
EMILY KEPULIS
TYLER JENSON NYKILCHYK
BERENIKE CORCUERA
AOIBHIN MAGUIRE
IZZY BOURIC
ICKLE
RIDER SHAFIQUE
MISS MASH
TIA PAYNE
DILY TERRY
SSUUNA
NYA FURBER
JACK DUNN
COSIMA ROSS
ROSIE PENNY
ODARTEY ARYEE
RACHEL LAWERH
COCO CHAN
IVAN WONG
SHAN SHAN LI
SIM
WEEYANG
JENN TEH
MILLEN BROWN-EWENS
ANNA MAYS
SI MELBER
TASALLA TABASOM
ESME ROTELLA
ROSIE RISDALE
MARGOT DOWER
MILLIE HARRIS
SAMUEL TERRY
EMILY SOUTHCOTT
JAYCEE MENTOOR
CAL MACKENZIE FINNIGAN
PAUL LEFEVRE
OLIVE MCCOY-OYENIRAN
ELLA SUGRUE
JULIET BLOUNT
NANA NAZ
ABBIE GREEN
CONTACT
nefeli [at] matesmagazine.com
@matesmagazine
© 2026 mates magazine & contributing artists. All rights reserved.