About
”Whilst I use a variety of materials and processes in each artwork, my fascination is harnessing the spray can. I am captivated by its chaotic temperament and versatility, and how it demands your focus to control its output.
I am driven to create every day and my goal is to inspire those who see my work to look more carefully at the world around them, to be intrigued and moved by their surroundings. “
About Szabotage
Gustav Szabo is a prolific, contemporary urban artist and designer known as Szabotage. He grew up in Hove (near Brighton in the UK) where he studied architecture before moving to London where he worked as an architect and designer. After moving to Hong Kong he quickly gained notoriety with sold-out exhibitions, solo shows, collaborative projects, private and commercial commissions with iconic brands such as Prada and Louis Vuitton.
Characterised by bright colours and popular cultural references, Szabotage’s visual language is high impact. His signature style uses layers of stencils to depict life and create personality in each unique piece.
Szabotage works with a variety of formats. His collections range from walls, canvases, prints, and cars to sculptures, stencils and NFTs. He constantly challenges limitations and enjoys creating his art and sculptures using deconstructed aerosol cans, metals and wood. In the digital space, NFTs allow him to add extra dimensions using animation and sound.
Szabotage’s Koi tag is easily recognisable. The Koi represents strength, adversity and good fortune. Watch Szabotage’s Ted Talk below to hear about he overcame his personal adversity with the power of art.
Resilience - The Ultimate High
Szabotage's World
"My art takes a critical view of its immediate surroundings. Often referencing the landscape of world cities, exploring the relationships between urban architecture and communities.
The subject matter of each piece of work determines the materials and the forms of production. I’m passionate about playing with a multitude of surfaces on which I create; walls, canvas, cars, fashion, and metal. In my varied and diverse approaches to making art, the context of the work has an impact on the piece’s relationship with the viewer.
My art takes on various forms intended to draw the viewer in as a co-contributor and witness new and unpredictable cycles of thoughts and associations. Providing an experimental chance to challenge one’s perceptions, perspectives, and assumptions.
I decontextualize. Then I reconstruct. Having engaged in subjects as diverse as cult icons, provocative language, and arranging them into new conceptually layered works of art.
Exploration is key, boldness is king and colour is my way.”
Exhibitions
2023 The Great Paignton Paint Out Legacy Exhibtion //Artizan Gallery UK
2023 English Rivera Winter Open Show // Artizan Gallery UK
2023 Temperance Street Mural //Safer Streets and Torbay Communities
2023 The Great Paignton Paint Out // Wide Open Artizan
2023 English Rivera Summer Show // Artizan Gallery UK
2023 Spray Day // Kevils Speedway UK
2023 Solo Show // Koi Jumps Over the Dragon, Presented by Wansim at TGIF
2022 LMOReconnects: Here and Beyond Art Fair, Presented by Art Supermarket
2022 Solo Show // Bid Farewell, Presented by SHOUT Art Hub and Gallery
2022 Group Show // 852 Fes, Hong Kong Arts Collective
2022 Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong, Presented by Art Supermarket Gallery
2022 Solo Show // Artaverse
2022 Solo Show // Tech Week: The Business of Web, American Chamber Of Commerce
2022 Group Show // Square Print Gen 2, Hong Kong Arts Collective
2021 Group Show // 10th Anniversary Show, Art Supermarket
2021 Solo Show // Life Got Real, SHOUT Gallery Hong Kong
2021 Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong, Presented by Art Supermarket Gallery
2021 Group Exhibition DRIVEN // Hong Kong Arts Collective x Zung Fu Affordable Art Fair, Hong Kong
2021 Online Art Fair, Presented by Art Supermarket Gallery on Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong
2020 Group Exhibition Square Print // Hong Kong Arts Collective, Hong Kong
2020 Solo Exhibition // SPRAYCATION Art Supermarket, Hong Kong
2020 Group Exhibition // Hong Kong Arts Collective, Hong Kong
2019 Solo Exhibition // Brick House X HKArts Collective Presents Artist of the Month, Hong Kong
2019 K11, Musea Art, Crockerydile, Hong Kong
2019 Group Show, LGBT Arcus Pride Art, Clifford Chance, Red Chamber Gallery
2019 Affordable Art Fair, Art Supermarket, Hong Kong
2019 Solo Exhibition // SUBLIMEY, Art Supermarket, Hong Kong
2019 Solo Exhibition // Reflections, The Mira Hotel, TST, Hong Kong
2019 The Objet Nomades, By Louis Vuitton, Tai Kwun, Hong Kong
2019 Wallskar, Graffiti and Street Art Festival, Hong Kong Edtion
2018 Affordable Art Fair, Art Supermarket, Hong Kong
2018 Duo Exhibition // Saskia Wesseling + Szabotage, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
2017 Solo Exhibition // FISH 'N' CHIPS, Art Supermarket, Hong Kong
2017 Asia Contemporary Art Show, Macey and Sons, Hong Kong
2017 Affordable Art Fair, Art Supermarket, Hong Kong
2017 Group Exhibition // Women In Focus, AWETHENTIC Gallery, Hong Kong
2017 TEDx Talk // “Resilience is the Ultimate High”, HKUST Hong Kong
2016 Solo Show + Exhibition // GONE FISHING! Loft 22, California Tower, LFK, Hong Kong
2016 Live Mural // Love Is Wild, Walls Of Change, Project C:Change, Hong Kong
2016 Group Exhibition // Minor Chords, Brickhouse, Hong Kong
2015 Street Art Festival // HK WALLS,, Hong Kong
2015 Installation // Floor of Love, Sav Hotel, Hong Kong
2015 Exhibition // Pang x Szabotage, Gallery 88, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
2015 Exhibition + Live Artwork // Hong Kong Classic Car Show
2015 Show // Hong Kong Makes Sense, Hong Kong
2015 Group Exhibition // Illicit Leggit, Lott Five, Soho, Hong Kong
2015 Group Exhibition // Design Commune by ARRAKIS Oggetti & Colourliving, PMQ, Hong Kong
2015 Solo Exhibition // Szabotage by Together, Kwun Tong
2015 Solo Exhibition // M Space, by PRC Magazine and Peter Boyle, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
2014 Finalist, Secret Walls, Hong Kong
2014 Creation of the “Koi”
2012 Solo Exhibition // Hackney Road Car Park, Shoreditch London
2010 Solo Show // SHHH Women's Erotic Emporium, Shoreditch, London
Street Art
Szabotage's street art has been sprayed all around the world. The temporary nature of this format means some are still there while others have been painted over.
Original Art
Explore Szabotage's extensive collection of original artworks featuring his notorius stencil language, bold buildings, fun with some famous icons and more!
NFT ART
Dive into Szabotage's digital artworld as he plays with this new format, new tools and multi-dimensional features. All minted in the metaverse forever!