'The Lighthouse' by Martin Whatson, 2023
Highly coveted, Limited Edition print based on the artist's hand-painted street art mural.
Hester St. & Bowery in NYC, May 2023
16.5 x 19.5 Inches
41.9 x 49.8 Centimeters
5-layer serigraph on archival pigment print with flood varnish.
HEAVILY HAND EMBELLISHED - each work is one of a kind!
Limited Edition of only 50 (#3/50)
(Available to purchase by lottery selection only).
Hand-signed in pencil and embossed by the artist bottom-right.
Hand-numbered in pencil bottom left.
ABOUT THE ART
Martin Whatson’s 'The Lighthouse' translates the energy of his large-scale New York City mural into a richly layered hand-embellished screen print, capturing the artist’s signature fusion of urban grit and expressive color. Rooted in his graffiti background, Whatson juxtaposes a monochrome, stencil-rendered figure—grounded, introspective, and almost timeless—against bursts of vibrant, chaotic paint. This contrast creates a visual tension between order and spontaneity, structure and emotion, echoing the layered complexity of the city itself. By bringing this imagery from the streets of Bowery and Hester into a collectible format, the work preserves both the immediacy of street art and the refinement of studio practice.
The concept of 'The Lighthouse' operates as both a literal and symbolic anchor within the composition. Traditionally a beacon of guidance and stability, the lighthouse here can be interpreted as an inner compass—something steady amid the noise, color, and unpredictability that surrounds it. Whatson often explores themes of identity, resilience, and emotional balance, and this piece continues that narrative by suggesting that clarity and direction can emerge even within chaos. The hand-embellished elements further reinforce this idea, as each print carries unique painterly gestures, making every edition slightly different—much like individual experiences navigating the same environment.
As a work derived from a specific moment in New York’s ever-evolving street art landscape, 'The Lighthouse' also serves as a snapshot of place and time. The Bowery, long associated with graffiti culture and artistic expression, provides a fitting backdrop for Martin Whatson’s exploration of contrast and coexistence. By bridging mural and print, public and private space, the piece invites collectors to engage with the transient nature of street art while holding onto something tangible and enduring.