Ivan Michael Blackstock is a South London-born multidisciplinary creative, whose work as an artist, mentor, and cultural innovator has been seen across the UK’s most iconic venues and beyond.

Ivan is focused on his work as an independent artist, creating thought-provoking and political artistic expressions. His work has been presented at Sadler’s Wells, 180 the Strand and La Villette in Paris and is proudly recognised for co-founding BirdGang Dance Company and in his award for Breakthrough Cultural Excellence in Film and Video (Nowness Awards 2019), Dazed 100 shortlist, 2021 and his role as contributing editor at Fact Magazine.

His growing success has catapulted his career into a multidimensional innovative space, and he has since founded CRXSS PLATFXRM, an organization platforming talent that constructs new paths for subculture creatives. CRXSS PLATFXRM also delivers high-profile partnership events and consultancy with major cultural venues, brands and independent businesses such as Nike, Red Bull, The Southbank Centre and UAL: Central Saint Martins.

Most recently, Ivan created TRAPLORD BLK MEME/RA for Channel 4 Random Acts, Autumn 2021, now extending his creativity by tapping into the world of film and media. Some of his biggest highlights to date have been choreographing for Beyonce’s Black Is King and Grammy award-winning music video ‘Brown Skin Girl’, as well as founding his very own media production company ALTRUVIOLET, for which TRAPLORD is the premier work and winner for Britain’s most prestigious stage honors, The Olivier Awards for best new dance production.