MARKEL

MARKEL transmutes philosophical rebellion into monumental mixed-media landscapes, wielding spray paint and acrylic like alchemical weapons across increasingly massive canvases. Each work becomes a battleground where totemic figures rise through layered pigments—spray paint’s raw urgency colliding with acrylic’s deliberate depth. He’s not just creating art; he’s expanding a visual universe that grows more intricate and immense with each iteration. Totemic figures rise from his work like primordial memories; primordial archetypes erupt from his canvases like spectral memories; ancestral shadows materialize, bleeding through the membrane between myth and perception. With each new project, MARKEL’s vision threatens to consume entire walls, entire rooms, entire perceptual boundaries—a relentless expansion of artistic consciousness that refuses to be contained.
These aren’t paintings to match your living room decor—they’re unflinching cartographies of inner wilderness, designed to crack open whatever fragile narratives you’ve constructed about reality.
Location:
Saskatoon, Canada
// BIOS
COSMIC VANDAL. COLOSSAL MYTHS. ENDLESS CANVAS.
MARKEL doesn’t make art to hang quietly in the background. His canvases are universes stitched from fragments of dreams, rebellions, and forgotten stories. Each piece feels like stepping through a doorway into something vast and untamed—where myths rise, collapse, and rebuild themselves.
This is creation on a monumental scale, meant for those who crave something bigger—something brutal, beautiful, and unmistakably human. Walk into the story, or stand back and let it consume you.
MARKEL transmutes philosophical rebellion into monumental mixed-media landscapes, wielding spray paint and acrylic like alchemical weapons across increasingly massive canvases. Each work becomes a battleground where totemic figures rise through layered pigments—spray paint’s raw urgency colliding with acrylic’s deliberate depth. He’s not just creating art; he’s expanding a visual universe that grows more intricate and immense with each iteration. Totemic figures rise from his work like primordial memories; primordial archetypes erupt from his canvases like spectral memories; ancestral shadows materialize, bleeding through the membrane between myth and perception. With each new project, MARKEL’s vision threatens to consume entire walls, entire rooms, entire perceptual boundaries—a relentless expansion of artistic consciousness that refuses to be contained.
These aren’t paintings to match your living room decor—they’re unflinching cartographies of inner wilderness, designed to crack open whatever fragile narratives you’ve constructed about reality.
Art is about making a statement.
For MARKEL, it’s about provoking thought and inspiring others to pursue their passions.
His art escapes the trappings of decoration; it’s a monument to the enormity of his vision. And impudent expression.
Taylor Hart, known professionally as MARKEL, is a visual artist from Saskatoon, Canada, whose work defies the pretentiousness often found in contemporary art galleries. He creates large-scale pieces that are as bold in their emotional impact as they are in size. MARKEL’s art isn’t about fitting in; it’s about standing out and making viewers feel something real.
MARKEL’s journey into art wasn’t a carefully planned career move. It started after a brief stint at a small, unfulfilling company. A conversation with his boss changed everything: “If the world was the way we wanted it to be, you’d be an artist,” his boss told him, suggesting that dreams were for others. This stark reality check pushed MARKEL to quit his job and follow his true calling.
Within a few years, MARKEL has already begun shaking up the art world with the same audacity and vision that propelled Diego Rivera and Georgia O’Keeffe to legendary status. But where Rivera’s murals and O’Keeffe’s florals were refined and polished, MARKEL’s work is raw, gritty, and unapologetically real. He channels the spirit of punk rock into every brushstroke, creating large-scale pieces that defy convention and challenge the viewer.
They tell the stories of everyday struggles and triumphs with a directness that hits hard. His canvases are battlegrounds of emotion, capturing the essence of the human experience in a way that’s both bold and brutally honest. Rivera’s grand murals were designed to inspire and educate, and MARKEL’s work does the same—only with a sharper edge and a louder voice.
Stripping away the prettiness to reveal the raw, unfiltered beauty of life’s rough edges, his vibrant, large-scale works force you to confront the messy, chaotic, and ultimately beautiful reality of existence. Where O’Keeffe’s art was serene and meditative, MARKEL’s is a visceral punch that wakes you up and makes you feel alive.
MARKEL’s art isn’t made to hang on a wall—it demands attention and provokes thought. It’s a rebellion against the pretentiousness often found in galleries, echoing the punk ethos of defying norms and speaking truth to power. His work is for those who crave authenticity and aren’t afraid to confront the uncomfortable truths of life.
It makes viewers feel small in the face of something bigger. He believes that this sense of awe is crucial. It’s the same feeling people get when they look at the stars or read a powerful book. His work aims to evoke that deep connection to something larger than oneself.
Recurrence of symbols like the sycamore tree in his pieces represents growth and the journey of life. These elements are not just artistic choices; they are reflections of MARKEL’s own journey and philosophical insights. Influences from literature such as “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho are evident in his art.
His pieces are characterized by vibrant colors and intricate compositions. They demand attention and provoke thought. Each work is a story, told boldly and honestly, without concern for traditional art world expectations.
MARKEL’s approach to art is pragmatic. He doesn’t care where his work is placed or who buys it; his focus is on getting his stories out into the world. This no-nonsense attitude is refreshing in an industry often bogged down by elitism and superficiality.
His work is a reflection of his life’s journey, from the struggles of young parenthood and personal loss to the liberation found in following one’s true passion. He is a storyteller at heart, using his art to explore and share the human experience.
His work has been featured in various exhibitions and has garnered praise for its emotional depth and visual impact. MARKEL continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art, challenging viewers to think deeply and feel profoundly.
In a world where mediocrity often goes unchallenged, MARKEL’s art is a breath of fresh air. It’s bold, honest, and deeply personal. It’s not just about creating; it’s about making a statement and connecting with others on a profound level.
MARKEL’s path is marked by resilience and a relentless pursuit of authenticity. His work is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and staying true to oneself. It’s a reminder that great art comes from a place of honesty and courage.
This is MARKEL—unfiltered, unpretentious, and undeniably powerful.
// QUOTES
“I try not to be inspired by other artists - most of my inspiration comes from things like movies, television, even video games. From stories. Stories are the things that inspire me.”
- MARKEL
“I don’t even think of myself as a painter. I think of myself as a storyteller.”
- MARKEL
“All of these modalities, all these different ways of telling people things about and to each other, they’re just stories.”
- MARKEL
//PRESS
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