![]() To read deeper into this genre, look no further than our article Urban Art or Street Art?Īnother way in which Whatson’s blasts of colour stand out from the crowd is that the message behind his work is not one often associated with street art. This sentiment can be also linked to the recent boom of appreciation for graffiti art, and therefore a more diverse field of graffiti artists, as 10 years ago there was not such a receptive market for art that was often seen as vulgar and detrimental. “I believe it’s much harder to stand out from the crowd now than 10 years ago.” It is true his pieces have a certain, unique aesthetic to them and Whatson himself feels that he hit upon this winning formula at just the right time, saying. He only started spray painting and stenciling in 2004, when he was twenty and nearing the end of art school in Oslo, but his bright and intensely colourful works have meant he very quickly gained international recognition. 1984) is of a younger generation of street artists and as such perhaps never experienced the nervous thrill of working under very strict graffiti laws, as over the years these laws have become increasingly relaxed. One of these is Norwegian born Martin Whatson who, unlike the elusive Banksy, is unafraid of working openly under his own name. His solo exhibitions have been shown in cities such as Tokyo, Los Angeles, London and New York.Īrt Shortlist is proud to present a selection of works by artist Martin Whatson.As the influence of Street Art, or Graffiti Art, becomes ever more popular, we are increasingly able to research and appreciate the work of professional graffiti artists who no longer have to hide from the illegality of their own creations. ![]() Gradually, urban artists have entered the art galleries. ![]() We find delicate and organic characters such as butterflies, ballerinas, animals all placed in a space that seems empty on a gray background. Martin Whatson creates as much on wall as on canvas or paper, the relationship between strength and vulnerability remains constant and present in each work. From this balance comes his new artistic approach. In the early 2000s, stencils were introduced into his artistic work, an evolution that brought him closer to a simplified but more effective aesthetic that, according to him, could bridge the gap between the passion and spontaneity of graffiti on the one hand and the fragility and transience of nature on the other. Martin Whatson is also very sensitive to the processes of deconstruction carried out by Jose Parla and Cy Twombly. At that time, there was zero tolerance by the government and police, so it was difficult to create walls without taking risks.Īrchitecture is for him a constant inspiration, the evolution and deconstruction of cities fascinates him. Growing up in the city of Oslo, Norway, Martin was an important part of the emerging local graffiti scene in the early 1990s. Martin Whatson's pictorial world is filled with anomalies and contradictions that require the viewer to linger over the work. ![]() The artist considers his works as a reflection of the rise and fall of the city streets, in his creations he symbolically recreates the urban environment, then personalizes it in his own way. His style is unique and recognizable, Martin has developed an aesthetic that combines figurative stencil compositions and abstract movements. It is in Oslo that the artist made his weapons, he studied art and graphic design within the school of communication Westerdals.įor more than ten years, Martin Whatson has been collaborating with some of the biggest names in his field and has managed to make himself known and appreciated by important collectors all over the world. Today he is considered one of the key players in contemporary urban art, more commonly known as street art. Martin Whatson was born in Norway in 1984.
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