Cycling has been booming in New York City - there are more than twice as many cyclists on the streets than in 2005, according to the New York City Department of Transportation. With all the bikes on the road, it's no wonder that Artspace partnered up artist Shantell Martin, who bikes around New York herself, with Martone Cycling Co for, well, an art bike.
Martin, whose art mainly consists of her own 'language' of black-ink doodles and words scrawled on white surfaces, looked towards urban cycling as her inspiration, using her trademark black ink to write terms like 'Now,' as well as doodles on 26-lb all-white Martone Cycling bicycles accented with an angular basket, red chain and Lucite pedals. 'Martone cycles are beautiful, well made, and the perfect canvas for me,' she said. The bikes aren't meant to be precious works of art for display in your home, you're supposed to actually ride them around town, and not have to worry about the black ink being stripped away from the elements because it's covered in lacquer.
'The word cycle for me represents an unbroken ring, a symbol of growing of understanding of moving forward - cycling is all of those things with the added motion of always moving forward and progressing,' said Martin.
Each bike in the series is a unique work of art, and because of that, they're priced at a hefty £2,500.
The bicycle is a moving white canvas, except for the red Lucite pedals, chain and brake cables which add a pop of colour
The made to order bikes were inspired by New York City's commuters
'The word cycle for me represents an unbroken ring,' explains Martin, 'a symbol of growing of understanding of moving forward - cycling is all of those things with the added motion of always moving forward and progressing'
Martin's collaboration with Martone Cycling Co. transforms the regular bike into an artwork; its surface into a canvas
Each bike in the series is a unique work of art, and because of that, cost £2,500
Despite their unique art work status, the bikes aren't meant to be precious works to display, they are supposed to be used and ridden around. The black ink is covered in lacquer, so won't be stripped away by the elements
-
‘We created our own island’: a new exhibition sees discrete Belgian fashion label Jan-Jan Van Essche step into the spotlightDal Chodha travels to Belgium to meet Jan-Jan Van Essche, the subject of a new exhibition at Antwerp’s MoMu that sheds light on the under-the-radar designer, whose eponymous label marries subtle, discrete elegance with extraordinary fabrications
-
Breaking bread: British designer Jasper Morrison creates a small but mighty bakery in MallorcaCan Pa is a charming neighbourhood bakery that blends tradition, innovation, and community impact
-
'There were many radical nuns': Andrea Modica's photographs document 1980s all-girls Catholic schools in BrooklynAndrea Modica’s ‘Catholic Girls’ looks back to her own childhood
-
Orbea’s award-winning Diem e-bike offers performance, choice and styleSpanish bicycle manufacturer Orbea has brought its racing experience to bear on the new Orbea e-bike, a high performing machine pitched at urban use
-
A first look at the Palace x Brompton foldable bike boasting culture-defining flairThe Palace x Brompton C Line 2 Speed Low Bar is the first collaboration between the bike and streetwear brand, uniting urban style with functional design
-
Volt London e-bike: a city ride with a twist of styleThe Volt London e-bike is a clear rival to VanMoof, boasting elegant styling and superb performance
-
New Cowboy 4 e-bike is an impressive urban steedThe latest Cowboy e-bike rides to the rescue of urban commuters with technical prowess, industrial good looks and useful app integration
-
Freitag designs bag for the iconic Brompton bikeSwiss brand Freitag meets London's finest foldable bike in this collaboration between two urban design greats
-
New Ora Ïto-designed E-Bike opens up the British cityParis-based bike makers Angell launched E-Bike in the UK
-
MC Escher-inspired bicycle garage channels The Hague's heritageWith enough room for 8,000 bicycles, Silo and Studio Marsman have collaborated on one of the country's biggest cycling garages
-
New contenders in the electric bike market speed into prime position
