inertia Print

Born in Gibraltar, 1969, during the year of the frontier closure when Spain sealed its borders to Gibraltarians, Stephen Ignacio spent his formative years in a town of 30,000 people within a 6km² area. This period, marked by isolation, steered him toward the arts as a means of expression and liberation, even if he didn't fully grasp its significance at the time. At 16, Stephen began to gain public attention through a mural project, transforming his neighborhood into a minor tourist attraction with his artwork adorning the walls at Devils Gap Steps. Sadly, these murals were later destroyed in the mid-90s. In the late 80s and early 90s, Stephen pursued fine arts at Watford College and later Gwent College (which later became the University of Wales). Here, he delved into public and installation art, creating controversial pieces that nearly led to his expulsion. His final project, "Mother England You Have Fucked Us," a socio-political installation/live performance, sparked debate over his tenure as a student due to its provocative message about self-determination. A concept which Gibraltar itself had as yet not embraced. His views on self determination later getting him into problems over his views on the independence for Gibraltar away from British colonialism which he has supported ever since. During the early 90s, Stephen's work in Gibraltar introduced the community to public art and installations, shifting the local art scene away from traditional forms like painting and sculpture. His time at Gwent's fine art course exposed him to the burgeoning digital/technology art scene, where he experimented with sound, video, and digital media, influenced by the Cybernetics movement. This period also marked his introduction to digital media tools like Photoshop. After completing his course in 1992, Stephen struggled to find work in a recession-hit UK, where his Gibraltarian background hindered his prospects. Eventually, he returned to Gibraltar, where he found employment in advertising and media, later transitioning to graphic design and online media. In 1996, Stephen founded iberianews.com, a groundbreaking 24-hour online news service for Gibraltar, revolutionizing the local media landscape and paving the way for future online media developments. Despite facing resistance from politicians and authorities, his work with iberianews earned international recognition and influenced Gibraltar's online media regulations.