'The Crack' by Martin Whatson, 2021
12-Hour Open Edition collab. with Graffiti Prints.
19.7 x 9.8 Inches
50 x 24.9 Centimeters
Giclée + 7-color screen print on 300gsm Somerset Satin fine art paper.
Paper embossed around the curtain creating a 3-D effect with the artist's graffiti in the background.
12-Hour Open Edition (Sold Out).
Stamp-signed by artist Martin Whatson bottom right.
Publisher Graffiti Prints embossed bottom left.
Includes Graffiti Prints COA.
ARTIST BIO
Martin Whatson (b. 1984) is a Norwegian born and based stencil artist. While studying Art and Graphic design at Westerdals School of Communication, Oslo, he discovered stencils and the urban art scene. He had been interested in Graffiti for years, following the development within street art closely. In 2004 he started his own artistic production.
Martin has a continuous urge to search for beauty in what is commonly dismissed as ugly, out of style or simply left behind. He looks for inspirations in city landscapes and old soon to be demolished buildings. This interest for decay has helped develop his style, motives and composition and he enjoys creating either unity or conflict between materials and motives; a wrinkled old lady on a shiny plate of aluminum. His artistic expression started off more political, inspired by DOLK and Banksy, but has developed into a more subtle expression.
His stencils are a mix of urban scenes with a poetic, hippyish make peace not war-message. He has a cheerful, very much recognizable and almost feminine touch; butterflies, doves and hearts in soft, nonetheless vibrant, colours. Still, his expression is very much masculine, filled with in your face-statements that represents a young and vigorous group of upcoming artists. Since his artistic debut in 2006, he has had several solo exhibitions and participated in many group exhibitions, both nationally and internationally. His latest solo show in Tokyo, Love Tour, sold out pre and during the opening night.