*APC ART is pleased to present “BALLOON” — an exceptionally rare and heavily hand-finished work by internationally celebrated Norwegian contemporary artist Martin Whatson.*

*Executed in 2024 and published by Graffiti Prints, Margate, “BALLOON” measures 32” x 24” and is from the edition of only 50 unique hand-finished works.*

*Each example from the edition is entirely unique.*

*Martin Whatson has emerged as one of the most important and commercially successful contemporary urban artists working today.*

*Known for his unmistakable fusion of monochromatic realism with explosive color interventions, Whatson’s works bridge the worlds of classical draftsmanship, graffiti culture and contemporary fine art.*

*His murals and public works can be found throughout Oslo, London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and beyond, while his sold out exhibitions continue to draw an increasingly global collector base.*

*Whatson’s collectors range from serious urban contemporary collectors to high profile athletes, entertainers and blue chip contemporary art buyers seeking works from artists who have helped define the modern street art movement after Banksy.*

*Unlike traditional contemporary prints, “BALLOON” was created using the highly sophisticated etching process — an historic and extremely labor intensive form of printmaking in which an image is physically incised into a metal plate before being pressed onto paper.*

*The result is a work with exceptional depth, texture and tonal richness impossible to replicate through standard digital or offset printing.*

*What makes this body of work especially significant however, is the extraordinary amount of hand-finishing completed directly by Martin Whatson himself.*

*This is not a lightly embellished edition.*

*The work has been aggressively and extensively hand finished with vibrant acrylic marker interventions, drips, graffiti elements and layered painterly applications executed entirely by the artist.*

*The amount of original hand work present within this series pushes these works far beyond the realm of traditional prints and into something that feels remarkably close to a unique original painting.*

*Each composition becomes its own individual statement piece.*

*“BALLOON” is one of the strongest and most visually iconic compositions Whatson has produced in recent years.*

*The juxtaposition between the soft etched imagery and the chaotic explosions of vivid color creates an incredible sense of movement and energy.*

*The work has tremendous presence in person and commands attention immediately.*

*Works from Martin Whatson’s heavily hand-finished editions have become increasingly difficult to acquire on the secondary market, particularly examples with this level of hand intervention and visual intensity.*

*As collectors continue to place increasing emphasis on rarity, uniqueness and artist involvement within editioned works, pieces such as this represent an exceptional long term acquisition opportunity.*

*This is an outstanding opportunity to acquire a museum caliber contemporary urban artwork from one of the defining artists of his generation.*

*The work is in hand in the USA and will ship immediately.*

*Pre-purchase inspection as well as local pickup is welcome by appointment only in Miami Beach, Florida.*

*We are also pleased to offer archival framing options as well as fully insured white glove delivery anywhere within the continental United States.*

*Included with the work is an APC ART Certificate of Authenticity guaranteeing the authenticity of the work in perpetuity.*

*OFFERED BY APC ART.*

*ATL. MIA. NYC. LA. PARIS. LONDON. TOKYO*

Provenance
Gifted to APC by the artist. 
Included with the work will be a COA From APC ART, guaranteeing authenticity in perpetuity. 

Condition
The work is in excellent condition.