They call his style industrial pop. Even though he doesn’t understand what that means, celebrity artist Marko Stout likes it.

His avant-garde approach has been making waves in the art world since his print collection, “Chelsea Girls”, back in 2015. In “Chelsea Girls”, Stout found inspiration in the very women he saw regularly in Chelsea, New York. He wanted to highlight their resilience in surviving such a harsh environment. Striking imagery mixed with powerful brushstrokes create a collection of gritty, female independence. Stout confronts stereotypes and explores female sexuality all within a contemporary urban context.

Ascending To New Heights

Without a doubt, 2016 was the year that Marko Stout started his ascent into celebrity status. Before the year’s end, he had two successful solo exhibitions. One was at the Rivington Gallery in New York, and the other at the Jason Samuels Gallery in Miami. However, it was his participation in New York’s Art Expo that really captured media attention. His four gigantic, female sculptures reached nine feet tall. As if their stature wasn’t captivating enough, Stout made headlines when these artworks sold to a Berlin art collector for a very high price. To date, it has been the biggest sale in ArtExpo history.

In 2017, Stout had a second set of sold-out shows in the New York City area. The collection, “Erotic Dreams”, was a sensual twist to the classic tale of “Alice in Wonderland.” In Stout’s masterpiece, Alice has followed the eccentric rabbit down the hole of moral corruption. A leather-clad woman, standing seven feet tall, wore a large rabbit head. She greeted the attendants into the exhibit. Guests were then subjected to three LED screens playing erotic material. One video showed a woman pleasuring herself for twenty minutes before reaching an orgasm. Afterward, guests were able to see the aluminum-based paintings Stout had created. His personal quotes, like ‘Free Your Mind,’ ‘Victim of the Rules,’ and ‘Jump At Your Own Risk’ appeared on the colorful prints.

His reputation for being an incredible artist preceded Stout, and in the spring of 2018, he was set to present his works at the World Trade Gallery. Unfortunately, the gallery owners were not that familiar with Stout’s freedom of expression. They were so appalled at the image of two naked women kissing that they demanded Stout censor himself. Stout refused, and instead he showcased the artwork at the more liberal Gallery MC.

Celebrity Stature Arrives

His follow-up collection, “Erotic Allure, Candyland of Color”, was displayed in the fall of 2018 at the Caelum Gallery. To no one’s surprise, there was an abundance of celebrity support at the Hollywood-like premiere. Canadian rapper Drake, New York’s own Sarah Jessica Parker, and Shanglea from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” were some of the recognizable faces in attendance. Videos of celebrities praising Stout’s artistic talents are all over the web. From Broadway stars, like “Hamilton’s” Lexi Lawson and “Kinky Boot’s” Todrick Hall to gossip-blogger, Perez Hilton, they all share an enthusiasm for Stout’s talent. “I’m A Big Fan!!” says Jai Rodriquez from “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.”

Because of his successful exhibitions and social media buzz, Marko Stout has developed a cult-like following similar to that of Andy Warhol. Unlike Warhol, though, Stout does not use celebrity images in his artwork.

Expanding To A Higher Level

Even with all that Stout has accomplished, he still has goals he would like to reach. He hopes to one day have his work displayed in his favorite museum, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). He believes a solo exhibit at MoMA is the validation one has made it in the art world.

Yet, his ultimate goal is the Guggenheim Museum. Stout feels that a large-scale retrospective there would be amazing. Architecturally speaking, the Guggenheim provides the most flattering space for his work. He envisions video art and experimental music playing alongside his paintings, prints, and sculptures.

Solo Exhibitions

• Fall 2018, New York, Caelum Gallery
• Spring 2018, New York, Gallery MC
• Spring 2018, New York, Artifact Gallery
• Fall 2017, New York, Emmanuel Fremin Gallery
• Summer 2017, New York, Sepia Gallery
• Fall 2016, New York, Rivington Street Gallery
• Spring 2016, Miami, Jason Samuel Gallery