From covers to jewelry making, Instagram has always been a great place for people to showcase their work and talents. Indeed, the popularity and accessibility of this platform make it perfect for those that seek to attract people from all over the world. However, the relationship between the poster and the viewer is one of mutual benefit. Most people follow artists on Instagram because they genuinely enjoy or get intrigued by the person’s work. After all, what is art without someone to enjoy it? With that being said, there is also a certain pleasure in discovering new talent on Instagram and adding them to your collection of great artists to follow. The hunt for the next best thing never ends so here is a list of underrated painters, street artists, cartoonists, and illustrators that are worth checking out.
The 21 years old digital artist is not only a great cartoonist but also a creative storyteller. Indeed, she does not only create beautiful illustrations but also draws a multitude of comic sketches from among us inspired panels to her comic Brutal havens. Her comics aren’t only hilarious and intriguing but they are also very inclusive and unexpectedly relatable for a comic about demons, angels, and immortal gods. Come for the beautiful graphics and stay for the funny and sweet characters! Careful, however, you might get to attached to the gods and fallen angels, you’ve been warned.
Jack Carden is a young artist from New Zealand who got his fame from the platform TikTok for his strange and unconventional art style. Indeed, the gothic-inspired pieces of works found on his page can seem strange at first glance. But still, capture people’s attention with its alluring rejection of what we generally perceive as art.
Between the millions of videos posted daily on TikTok can be found a blooming community of artists and art historians. But lately, it’s in disarray, the balanced established have been shaken, by a…boy who ruins paintings..? Let me elaborate, Jack Carden, a 19 years old artist from New Zealand, has sparked both Horror and admiration in the hearts of every person that came across his pieces. The fine art and art history first-year student has started exhibiting his artwork at Christchurch’s The 013 gallery in 2020 and has now accumulated a big following on social media in a short time despite the controversy that surrounds his works. Having turned the heads of many, a big number of questions arose regarding the artist and his work. As such, we went directly to the source, Jack Carden himself, in hope of finding some answers.
Q: How did you come to work with this style of art and from what do you draw your inspiration?
A: I have been drawing in this style since I could hold a pen. Something about messy left-handed handwriting and Scribbly drawings has always been a part of my bookwork growing up throughout school. In year 12, I was forced into art -I wanted to do chemistry- due to a timetabling issue at my school. I studied it for 2 years of IB. It quickly became my best subject. I researched Basquiat, Damien Hurst, Warhol, Keith haring, Jenny Saville, Hannah hock, John pule, the Dadaism movement, and so on. From these artists, I learned a lot about the intentions behind art, as well as ways of expressing oneself without limits – enter the whole of neo-expressionism.
This combined with ideals from Dadaism and my neo-gothic touch, developed my style as it is known today.
Q: Anti-art is quite a vague concept, how would you say it applies to your pieces?
A: I would say anti-art applies to my work on a few different levels. Firstly, the most recent series of works I have done is based on Dadaist ideals – this “rejection of art”. The concept of taking pre-existing artworks that are not mine – f*cking them up – and then selling them for thousands… it’s almost like one sarcastic p*sstake of the art world, especially the “art world” of TikTok. And it’s beautiful. On a more simple level, the act of fucking up artworks is in itself is “anti” art. The final level however is irrelevant to the art I make. It’s about myself as an artist – and my approach to art. I am going against the traditional route to becoming an artist. I’m a fucking kid on TikTok – not a 60-year-old man painstakingly painting beautiful and intricate oil landscapes only to be discovered and praised after he dies. My approach to the art world fundamentally does not fit within its norms. Which is perfect. I love it. Because fuck the traditional path. Literally who the f*ck cares about that anymore? It’s a new era – so let’s carve a new path. I have always said that I would rather everyone hate my art with a passion than be indifferent.
I’d much rather be an anti-artist than not an artist.
Q: Because of this, a lot of controversy surrounds your work and whether it is or isn’t art, but how would you define art?
A: To me, art is about provoking emotion. Whether good or bad, beautiful or ugly. And without a doubt, my art does that. But this “controversy” regarding whether my art is or isn’t “art” is bullsh*t. Beautiful bullsh*t. Who gives a f*ck if it’s “art” or not in everyone’s eyes. To spark a conversation – a heated, rage-filled argument – about my art in the first place is something that as an artist, is extremely fulfilling. And was entirely intentional. “Anti-art” is a controversial term – utilized to spark controversy… and it worked. Of course, it worked. I had no doubt it would work… but when I started seeing hate videos with hundreds of thousands of views, I knew it really worked. To quote @jayclaytonwelch “this kid made something that will have a bigger emotional impact than most artists will achieve in their entire lives”. It worked. Whether “art” or not… it worked.
Q: Regardless of that, you have recently gained a big following on social media, why do you think your art resonates so deeply with some people?
A: I think my art resonates with people for a lot of reasons. But what I like about it is that it’s not like I’m this “art connoisseur” character. I title my TikToks very deliberately. “Boy draws picture”. Because realistically, that’s all I am. And despite what some people say, that’s all I’ve ever claimed to be – a boy that draws pictures. Which is believable. Relatable. Achievable for anyone. at the most basic level. Of course lots of people relate to it for personal reasons – e.g. the writing itself conveys stories that some people will relate with or simply people just really like gothic art etc…
Q: And finally, what future do you envision for you as an artist, and for your work?
A: In the near future I have a lot I want to achieve. I am working on clothing currently – as well as a run of limited prints. There are also a lot of other artists and tiktokers that I want to collaborate with. Once Covid-19 has fucked off, I want to do a gallery show internationally – ideally in New York.
In the far future, I envision myself as still not quite being accepted by the “art world”. Hopefully.
Whether you like him or not, Jack Carden entered the art world with a bang and is planning to continue leaving his mark through his artwork, opinions, and future project.
golden cult 