
Askew One
Auckland, New Zealand
Askew One (Elliot O’Donnell) is a self-taught multi-disciplinary artist who, from his roots in Auckland’s graffiti scene during the early 90’s, became one of the key figures known internationally from the region. Additionally he has played an integral part in organizing Auckland’s first graffiti festival – setting up multiple gallery spaces and publishing both a magazine and book showcasing New Zealand graffiti art.
Since 2010 Askew One has evolved his art practice into the Urban-Contemporary or Post-Graffiti realm, focusing on studio work and large scale outdoor murals. Along with long-time friend and contemporary Benjamin Work, he was integral in defining the term Post Graffiti Pacific, to describe like minded artists dealing with themes related to that specific geography, its cultures and history.
Askew One’s current work is a mixture of text and portrait based work concerned with themes of the human diaspora and it’s driving factors. Focusing mostly on painting, he draws heavily from his background in graphic design and still and moving image to create meticulously detailed portraits over layers of bold mark-making. He utilizes many crude makeshift tools that became familiar through his experience in painting graffiti.