The Ten Artists You Need to Follow On Instagram

4 min read
Photo Instagram @artsy, artwork by Nathalie du Pasquier

Photo Instagram @artsy, artwork by Nathalie du Pasquier

Follow these creative minds from around the globe on Instagram for a shot of artistic beauty at any time of the day. You’ll never again be stuck for inspiration. 

@elseed

We’re used to blending ideas in fashion (flatforms with skorts, anyone?) and it seems that French-Tunisian artist el Seed is doing the same for the art world with his calligraffity. This is modern Arabic calligraphy brought to the street on a grand scale.

@kaws

We had to include New York-based KAWS (artist Brian Donnelly) for his extravagant pop culture inspired sculptures, acrylic paintings and vinyl creations. His artistic collaboration with Comme des Garçons makes perfect sense.

@ayadalkadhi

Ayad Alkadhi’s work reflects his views and perceptions as a survivor of war in the Middle East. The Iraqi artist is now based in New York and his paintings are a hauntingly beautiful echo of his thoughts and ideas about the pressing political and cultural issues of our time.

@lauriesimmons

Laurie Simmons is an artist, photographer, filmmaker and tiny-doll obsessive. She also happens to be Lena Dunham’s mother. We’d love to know what goes in a family teeming with creativity. Oh wait, now we do.

@danielarsham

Arsham is a contemporary American sculptor exploring the boundaries between art, architecture and performance. If that hasn’t piqued your interest then maybe cameos by Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and Bill Clinton might have you clicking follow.

@hudabeydoun

A MOJEH artist-in-residence, Huda Beydoun has exhibited her cartoon-fantastic art work at Jeddah Art Week and has a playful eye when it comes to turning cultural issues on their heads. Pairing Disney cartoon figures with traditional Arabic scenes, you never know where Mickey Mouse will appear next.

@joseparla

Expect a sea of colour, light and behind-the-scenes imagery from Brooklyn-based José Parlá’s Instagram wall.  His art is a mixture of calligraphy and abstract that goes way beyond simple graffiti. It’s a new way to engage with the cities that his art reflects (he calls his paintings ‘memory documents’). Known for his collaborations with the likes of French street artist JR, José is an essential follow for any creative.

@artsy

Not strictly an individual artist but a collection of beautiful (modern, historical and contemporary) art images from leading exhibitions, museums and collections around the world. Artsy’s mission is to make the art world accessible to anyone with an Internet connection. Mission accomplished.

@meganhess_official

If we had to pick one fashion illustrator to follow it would be Megan Hess. She’s lent her signature style to Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Cartier and Balenciaga and taken her talents off paper to create accessories for Henri Bendel and illustrate the windows of Bergdorf Goodman. For a daily dose of fashionable art (we love the Monday Coffee sketches) this is not to be missed.

@artistkimberlyb

Contemporary artist Kimberly Brooks has exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art and once you’ve seen her mesmerising oil paintings you won’t be surprised. Another exhibition, ‘The Stylist Project’, included striking paintings of Arianne Phillips, Rachel Zoe, and Grace Coddington among others. Follow Kimberly to add a note of tranquility to your Instagram feed.

From left to right. Images courtesy of: @elseed, Sometime there is walls waiting for you #letmetellyoutheirstory #lostwalls #calligraffitiroadtrip #fromheretofame #watm | @kaws, Companion: Passing Through at @galerieperrotin Paris 2012 #kaws #tbt photo by Guillaume Ziccarelli #Perrotin | @ayadalkadhi, Structure! #calligraphy #veil #middleeast | @lauriesimmons, orange haired girl in garden today | @danielarsham, #futurerelic’s | @hudabeydoun, #mykindatherapy | @joseparla, Works in progress… Imaging New Worlds upcoming show February 14 @highmuseumofart #atlanta photo @reyparlastudio | @artsy, Get a sneak peek at the art and design at @fogfair before it rolls into San Francisco next week! Here’s one of our favorites, from Nathalie du Pasquier’s limited edition portfolio in collaboration with @sfmoma and @colpapress. #FOGfair #SFMOMA #ColpaPress | @meganhess_officialMy Monday Coffee…Doubleshot Latte with honey…Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh | @artistkimberlyb, “Raja Summit” oil in linen (partial).