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Satirical artist Cold War Steve honoured by University 

16/09/2021

The satirical artist Cold War Steve, famed for his collages depicting famous faces from modern Britain, has been honoured for his work by the University of Wolverhampton. 

Birmingham-born Christopher Spencer, aka Cold War Steve, specialises in surreal collages featuring celebrities and political figures often in a grim or historical setting, usually with EastEnders actor Steve McFadden (in character as Phil Mitchell) looking on.  

Christopher was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Professional Practice by the University of Wolverhampton on Thursday, 16 September 2021. 

The honour, presented in recognition of his contribution to the arts, was awarded during a graduation ceremony at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.  

Christopher said: “I would like to thank everyone at the University of Wolverhampton for giving me this honorary degree. Wolverhampton is a city close to my heart, and I am unbelievably proud of this award. I look forward to promoting the shared values I have with the University and its students, and I wish the graduates all the best for the future.” 

Christopher Spencer is an artist from Birmingham, England who specialises in surreal, satirical and hilarious collages originally made on his phone and iPad.  

He is responsible for three solo exhibitions, two books with Thames & Hudson, commissions for the National Galleries of Scotland, Whitworth in Manchester, Birmingham Museum and Gallery, a giant billboard installation at Glastonbury Festival, and an international TIME magazine cover. 

In 2020 his jigsaw Hellscape was shortlisted for the Design Museum’s Design of the Year Award, while his latest book A Prat’s Progress was nominated for the The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize. Christopher has also shot a feature length documentary about his work. 

The University of Wolverhampton graduation ceremonies are taking place at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton from Thursday 9 September – Friday 17 September 2021.  

The 17 ceremonies will see over 3,000 students who completed their studies in 2020 collect their awards.  

It is the first time the University has held a graduation ceremony since December 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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