SPRAY: Street art in
the Oslo region

Tokyo. Paris. New York. As a professional street artist, Martin Whatson has spent the past decade travelling the world. His pieces of art can be seen on massive walls and in prestigious exhibitions all over the globe.

Vinstra. Løten. Fredrikstad. And four other destinations in the Oslo region. In 2018 and 2019, Whatson has spent most of his time in Norway to add colour to seven destinations close to where he grew up.

And the result? Whatson’s distinctive artistic style – grey tones as a basis, mixed with a splash of vibrant colours – is dominant in all seven pieces. What the murals convey, however, varies. If you look closely, each wall tells a story unique for the location.

“My work always has an underlying meaning, yet the message doesn’t necessarily hit you in the face. It tends to be quite subtle, allowing the viewers to think for themselves. That opens up for interpretation”, Whatson says.

Even though Whatson grew up in Oslo, he was not familiar with all the places involved in the project.

“Except for Oslo, Asker, and Horten, I hadn’t been to any of the places, so I had no idea what to expect.”

So, what did you think of the places? Any favourites?
“I really liked Fredrikstad. That was probably the place that stood out the most to me. Here, I decorated a wall located right by the river that runs through the city. The area is packed with restaurants and bars, which makes the river a focal point. I thought that was cool. I also liked Vinstra a lot; it’s a beautiful valley.”

How did the locals respond to your work?
“Whether I work on a wall in Tokyo or Vinstra, I always get various reactions from people who walk by. Some may comment on the piece, while others just give me a thumbs up. In general, I often feel that people are more enthusiastic and positive in smaller places.”

Which of the seven walls are you most happy with?
“I think they are all special in their way, but if I have to pick one, it must be the Vinstra wall. The location is excellent, and the message is clear.”

Watch the videoes to see all the final results.

Follow in Whatson’s footsteps:

The Oslo region is full of historical sites and cultural gems. Here are some of the highlights that inspired Martin Whatson.