1/1 Artist Spotlight: Habiba Green
ONE37pm's 1/1 Artist Spotlight is a series that focuses on giving love to 1 of 1 NFT Artists. Whether they're from the traditional art world or just got started in art through web3, we want to highlight and help you get to know those who are up and coming.
A 1/1 NFT is a unique, one-of-a-kind digital collectible where no other exists other than the piece itself. We hope to introduce you to talented and incredible people in the NFT space and the reasons they love doing what they do.
Habiba Green is a contemporary minimal-realist artist who lives in London, UK. Largely driven by her own experiences. Her universe revolves around themes of anxiety, uncertainty of emotions, loss and regeneration.
ONE37pm had the opportunity to interview the rising artist and learn more about her unconventional start to NFTs, her goals in the space, and more.
How has your artist journey changed since joining NFTs? How did you start?
Back in 2021, I had an interesting and unusual way of discovering the space. I was living completely unaware of the metaverse and ironically enough, one of my longest internships was about Art & Technology.
One day around July of 2021, I received multiple dms on my instagram from people I didn’t know. I truly thought it was all spam, so I ignored them. Until an artist and friend that was in the NFT space messaged me saying ,"Habiba! Your art is being stolen and minted on foundation, and also the auction is live." I replied, "In a fundraiser (charity)! What a shame."
Then she explained everything to me and I remember myself encountering diverse feelings. I didn’t know what to do. I felt helpless. Then created a twitter account and that same day, the whole community, especially the #anifam supported the cause inaccessibly to take the piece down and we finally did! The funds were returned to its bidder and since then I started to organise everything to start my journey in the Space.
I was shocked from the sense of community, coming from IG that is more visual oriented with a changed concept, it was indeed heartwarming. I couldn’t believe that this space truly existed. That same week I sold 5 artworks in one night while I was asleep. The bids were double its price, also the stolen piece was sold. I couldn’t believe it. I cried of happiness. I was the stereotypical full-time starving artist from web2. I was in debt and that same day I was debt free and surrounded by the most funny, talented and amazing people. The good part is as traditional artist, I always had a plan B and that plan was to quit if everything went wrong one day. The Space gave me a reason to continue doing what In was born for. And I'll always be immensely grateful.
Do you prefer physical or digital art?
I started working with digital tools in 2021, I used to be a traditional artist. I love both, but I believe that the use of mixed media is the perfect combination to integrate the qualities of both worlds if that makes sense.
How would you describe your art style?
I am fascinated by the Non-finito, the Italian expression that literally represents which is applied in artistic contexts to works to which an aesthetic value is at tributed precisely because of their imperfection or lack of final art. Just like the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi, shares one of my main mantras: Imperfect, in complete, and impermanent, like life itself. To me a form of art and to some a dev astating truth. These two concepts, helped me develop my art and also, to helped me to find enjoyment in those art blocks and the frustration that comes with this career. The unfinished is like a memory, I want to transmit to the viewer that in my art work you can always interpret a different end.
Who or what are some of your biggest inspirations?
Too many! Classical art: Caravaggio, Henri Renault, Francisco de Goya, John Wil liam Waterhouse, John Singer Sargent, Dante Gabriel Rosetti, Hieronymus Bosch.
Modern: Mark Rothko, Bridget Riley, Picasso, Egon Schiele, Alfred Rubin, Hopper, Klimt, Joan Miró, Man Ray.
Contemporary: Louis De Borgeois, Yoshitaka Amano, Satoshi Kon, Daniel Segrove, Guim Tio, Conrad Roset, Paula Bonet, Martine Johanna, Alexandra Levasseur, Emi lio Villalba, Tom Rosenthal, Gillian Wearing, Basquiat.
What is your favourite piece?
Above The Fire, 2022. Is a piece made intuitively expressing an estate of oblivion. Is about being humbling yourself and to step back even in when in that state is al most impossible.
What do you hope to accomplish in the next year?
I would like to get more behind the scenes as a curator. I’ve something interest ing coming up for Women’s day. I always try to organise something especial, as it’s a day to commemorate our history. Especially as women in the art field, is one of my most favourite and inspiring dates for me! I’d like to be able to gather talented artists to do something beyond monetary reasons and more activism oriented.
When do you feel most inspired to create?
When I don’t expect it! A conversation with a friend is the most powerful tool for inspiration in my opinion. Then is when I hide my Cellphone and isolate myself for days, it comes in waves and I love when it happens.
Who are 3 artists you have your eyes on at the moment?
Tony Wallstrom, Shakti Gomez and Anton Marrast. Very different, 3 incredible talents. To me the most promising in the long term.
What advice would you give to an artist starting in the space right now?
To take breaks, To stay kind whatever happens and to think long-term. The space is overwhelming and learning to silence the noise to focus is a skill that I think is beneficial for all. Also to don’t be afraid to participate in the opportunities that the space brings, we all had a first time in something!
Would you rather be relatable or aspirational to your audience?
I’ve always seen myself as a person that happen to be somehow relevant without intentionally wanting. So definitely relatable even it could be perceived the other way. Most of the biggest influences of our time had become aspirational even after death. My mantra is including “reality” To the matter, so I personally feel closer to a relatable figure. I think both are important and depending of the audience, the category goes accordingly. I think that in the end it doesn’t matter because one finds the other simultaneously. Both are essential.