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Solana may have received more attention for its PFPs and memecoins in the past, but the resurgent blockchain also plays host to a vibrant art community.
Offering nominal fees, a distinct collector base, and a lower barrier to entry compared to Ethereum, Solana has emerged as an attractive minting destination for rising artists and established artists alike. While leading Solana NFT marketplaces Magic Eden and Tensor are more geared towards collections and traders, respectively, the rise of platforms like Exchange has provided a welcome home for 1/1 and editioned artworks.
Solana has seen several notable crossover releases from high-profile artists who made their names minting on Ethereum, most notably ThankYouX, whose “Xplore” piece sold for a then record-setting 751 SOL in March 2022, and Cath Simard, who sold her 1/1 work “Alone, not lonely” for 1300 SOL in June 2022 and returned this month with her “Day 1” edition drop.
With the recent attention on the Solana ecosystem, the blockchain’s thriving homegrown art scene is finally getting its due. For those getting started, here are just ten of the many talented creators who call the Solana space home.
John Lê
Known for creating Vault Comics’ popular “Giga” series, John Lê is an imaginative illustrator and storyteller whose poignant pastel works explore futuristic themes. As the highest-selling individual artist on Exchange with more than $2.2 million in total volume, the recent Next Up honoree is a staunch advocate for the Solana art scene who has assembled an impressive collection of his own.
“Coming from the comic book industry, I saw Solana as a blockchain that could really help solve some of the flawed business practices of the industry I love most,” Lê tells nft now. “What kept me there was the people and the emerging passion for art and independent artists. In 2021, I saw a unique opportunity to get involved, and now I’m lucky enough to continue in building a culture alongside some of the brightest minds I’ve ever met.”
“With everything our community and ecosystem has experienced, it definitely hits a nerve to see so much attention on Solana and the beautiful array of artists that have culminated there.”
JOHN Lê
He adds: “With everything our community and ecosystem has experienced, it definitely hits a nerve to see so much attention on Solana and the beautiful array of artists that have culminated there. With the recent uptick in both artists and collectors, I’m looking forward to see a beautiful exchange in insight, knowledge, and experience that will help propel independent artists regardless of the blockchain they choose to distribute their work on.”
Sleepr
Hailing from Brisbane, Australia, anonymous artist Sleepr has emerged as one of Solana’s most distinctive 1/1 creators. Coming from an academic background, Sleepr draws upon his scientific knowledge in his self-described “superflat” artworks.
After making his Exchange debut in July 2022 with the aptly named “Down the Rabbit Hole,” Sleepr has become a frequent minter on the platform. In December, he served as one of the Solana Foundation’s on-site artists-in-residence at the Art Basel Miami Beach fair, creating live art to introduce attendees to the ecosystem in real-time.
“Over the past few years, Solana has become an invisible infrastructure layer… I end up forgetting it exists because everything just works as expected.”
SLEEPR
“Over the past few years, Solana has become an invisible infrastructure layer,” Sleepr tells nft now. “To be very honest, I end up forgetting it exists because everything just works as expected. UI is intuitive, fees are non-existent, speed is similar to web2 uploading and downloading. This is important as it shifts to focus from tech-art to art again.”
He adds: “I’ve been so impressed by the speed of taste development by the collectors in this space. The elevation of boundary-pushing abstract works by artists like Mical, Archie or Dustbunny really cemented that the quality of collectors here aren’t just larping but are just early, and the eventual merging of the trad and tech art spaces over the next few years will be impressive to say the least.”
Degen Poet
Poetry not only exists on Solana — it has been remarkably successful. Degen Poet is a self-described “typewriter artist” who has parlayed their distinctively quirky works into nearly $1.9 million in sales volume. From straightforward typed poetry to creative interpretations of popular Solana memes and projects such as $BONK and Boogles, the prolific creator has plenty of series to choose from.
“You see people paint Solana colors on their face, rip off their shirts and beat a SOL symbol on their chest, it’s because Solana gave them everything first. The chain provides.”
DEGEN POET
“I still remember writing poems about girls I liked in composition notebooks & dreaming of becoming an artist one day,” he reflected in a recent X post. “Why not? It’s what I want to do. I love making art for Solana more than anything.”
He added: “You see people paint Solana colors on their face, rip off their shirts and beat a SOL symbol on their chest, it’s because Solana gave them everything first. The chain provides.”
Laura El
Recognized as one of our Next Up artists in October, Laura El is a talented New York illustrator whose love of linework and standout storytelling have helped her make an impact in web3.
Solana became El’s entry point to web3 after friends introduced her to the blockchain. Since then, she has sold nearly $260,000 in volume on Exchange. El recalls, “The community was what sold me on Solana before I even created my first wallet and tried the tech. I had never met a more welcoming group of people. I couldn’t believe the degree to which artists encouraged one another.”
“It may be younger than the ETH art scene, but it’s growing and here to stay.”
LAURA EL
“It may be younger than the ETH art scene, but it’s growing and here to stay,” she tells nft now. “I would encourage any new collectors diving into Solana art scene to dive deep. There are of course some more well-known and often-mentioned artists, but don’t stop there. I think because the Solana art scene is still maturing and growing, many artists just haven’t had the opportunity to break out yet.”
SCUM
SCUM is the pseudonymous creator of Slimes, a 1/1 PFP project on Solana inspired by Xicano and Mexican history and mythology. With more than $550,000 in total volume, SCUM has used the Slimes community as a platform to support fellow Solana artists through the Slimes Family Collection (SFC).
“I built Slimes to be a true community. Not a collection of deep pockets looking to collect PFPs like infinity stones.”
SCUM
“I built Slimes to be a true community,” SCUM explained in a recent X post. “Not a collection of deep pockets looking to collect PFPs like infinity stones. There is a mixture of SFC conviction holders, auction winners, handpicked chads, and team members.”
“SFC was created to help me support artists while simultaneously building a community for myself,” they added. “Each artist took the Slimes universe as inspiration and made some of my favorite art on or off-chain. They received commission, 100% of sales, and 100% of royalties. Slimes were airdropped every piece.”
Lisanne Haack
Born in Brazil and based in Spain, Lisanne Haack fuses her abstract oil paintings with digital elements in a uniquely compelling combination of mediums. The 29-year-old artist minted her first work on Solana in December 2021 and was “amazed by the reception.” Since then, she has explored her art form in numerous series ranging from “Let’s get physical” to “melancholy in modern times,” moving more than $233,000 in total sales volume.
“I would say that Solana, in a word, is inclusivity. They welcomed me to be whatever kind of artist I want, be that traditional, digital or even a modeler, there is room for everything there.”
LISANNE HAACK
Alongside Sleepr and Eko33, Haack participated in the Solana Foundation’s on-site “Artists in Residence” exhibition at Art Basel Miami Beach. She rebuilt her home studio to paint pieces live at the fair and showcase the bridge between physical and digital concepts in her creative process.
“I would say that Solana, in a word, is inclusivity,” she tells nft now. “They welcomed me to be whatever kind of artist I want, be that traditional, digital, or even a modeler; there is room for everything there. It has one of the most amazing communities on web3 and shows through the incredible art you can find there. Not only projects can grow, but artists have a space to experiment and showcase their creativity.”
Archie Morley
Australian artist Archie Morley is making waves on Solana with his signature style of abstract expressionism. Melding the mediums of painting, scanography, and digital manipulation, Archie crafts mesmerizing collections like “Confined Conditions” and “Fragmented Expressions” that beckon viewers into a realm where emotions, thoughts, and memories intertwine.
Citing visual and musical influences ranging from Jack Vanzet and Leif Podhajský to King Krule and Mac Miller, Morley’s colorful and experimental artwork provides a canvas for exploring his psyche, from deep-seated emotions to the complexities of his anxiety. Morley’s work has moved more than $213,000 in total sales volume on Exchange.
“Having initially first released work on Tezos, I saw many great similarities with Solana in terms of low fees, fast transactions, and an intriguing niche art scene,” Morley tells nft now. “Since being fortunately on-boarded in late 2021, I’ve made some great connections and surreal sales, but it’s also been the incredibly smooth UX and community full of genuine collectors and artists that make Solana feel like home to me.”
“Having initially first released work on Tezos, I saw many great similarities with Solana in terms of low fees, fast transactions, and an intriguing niche art scene.”
ARCHIE MORLEY
“It’s been beautiful seeing art on Solana gain more recognition and respect I believe it deserves, even after difficult market conditions,” he adds. “The speed, affordability, platforms, initiatives, and people make it a strong, accessible, and vibrant place for any artist or collector looking to release or discover new art. While I still plan to continue releasing works on other chains too, Solana has always made the most sense for me. Excited to see more people experience the special characteristics of SOL as the space develops and matures further.”
Hyblinxx
Known for a vibrant, expressive art style and captivating characters, Hyblinxx has made their name on Solana with colorful art pieces and a popular 1/1 series entitled The Hoodlums. Their work often features imaginative creatures and fantastical landscapes rendered in a blend of traditional and digital techniques. With more than $177,000 in sales volume on Exchange, Hyblinxx has succeeded in building a supportive community around their quirky artistic vision.
“I’m building my world, and you all belong in it! The artists on Solana are driven and innovative.”
HYBLINXX
“I came to Solana to make the art world Blinxx, and there’s no looking back,” Hyblinxx tells nft now. “I’m building my world, and you all belong in it! The artists on Solana are driven and innovative. Don’t Blinxx or you’ll miss us.”
Joyce Liu
Taiwanese-American artist and designer Joyce Liu brings a playful whimsy to the Solana space, regularly releasing both animated and still works featuring endearing critters outfitted in bold colors.
Based in Washington, she previously worked on the art team for popular SOL project Claynosaurz and spoke at the Solana Hacker House in Taipei in the spring of 2023. Her artwork has moved more than $143,000 in total sales volume on Exchange, and she counts notable artists like Hyblinxx among her collectors.
“I still remember when first I stumbled upon Solana a little over two years ago, I was blown away by the love and warmth I felt from the community.”
JOYCE LIU
“I still remember when first I stumbled upon Solana a little over two years ago, I was blown away by the love and warmth I felt from the community,” Liu tells nft now. “Ever since then, I’ve stayed and have been striving to return the love I feel back into the community in any small way I can. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that, like myself, fellow artist friends will be here creating and adventuring in this exciting space.”
Mical Noelson
Born in London and based in Berlin, Mical Noelson first began minting work on Tezos platform hic et nunc in 2021 before embracing the Solana art scene in March 2022 after a friend convinced him to mint a 1/1 from his “Group Show” series. His distinctive abstract artwork draws upon a variety of physical and digital mediums (as he puts it “paint, pencils, canvas, computer screens, and dirt”) and frequently features prominent pinks and flesh tones. With more than $109,000 in total volume on Exchange, Noelson is a creator to keep an eye on.
“The art scene isn’t as wild and diverse as Tezos, and it doesn’t have the history of Ethereum… it’s building its own story.”
MICAL NOELSON
“The art scene isn’t as wild and diverse as Tezos, and it doesn’t have the history of Ethereum,” Noelson tells nft now. “But it does have a wonderful community crossing over from all parts of the ecosystem, and in that sense, it has its own distinct culture. It’s building its own story.”
He adds: “There is a big group of digital abstract artists making very strong work there, along with many talented peers I see trying out for the first time from Tezos. There is a lot of support for the art scene from the Solana Foundation, and the collectors I have got to know are some of the most curious and interested folks I have met in years.”
