Priest

PRIEST is a contemporary pop artist based in London, originally from a small town in New Zealand. Known for his witty and satirical style, PRIEST blends playful, nostalgic imagery inspired by cartoons, video games, and street art with sharp social commentary on capitalism and corporate culture. His name, “PRIEST,” is a clever play on the graffiti term “toy,” reflecting both his roots in street art and his playful creative spirit.

Growing up surrounded by various art forms and performance, PRIEST began painting graffiti illegally in New Zealand back in 2010. Over the years, he traveled and worked in cities like Melbourne, Copenhagen, Glasgow, and eventually London, constantly evolving his style. After a court case for graffiti in Australia in 2019, he shifted his focus to creating paintings and prints — a move that helped him pay fines and grow as a professional artist.

During this period, he worked closely with Melbourne-based artist RONE, learning the ropes of managing exhibitions and building a sustainable career. A major turning point came when New York artist KAWS took him under his wing, guiding PRIEST’s transition into the fine art world.

Today, PRIEST’s vibrant, colorful works have been showcased worldwide in exhibitions like The Capitalization of Graffiti in Venice (2024), Trapped in a Cel! in London (2024), and PRESS START in Los Angeles (2023). His art cleverly critiques modern society while inviting viewers to engage with its playful, nostalgic aesthetics.