Askew One (Elliot O’Donnell-1979) is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist hailing from the capital of the South Pacific, Auckland, New Zealand.
In the early 1990s, he became a key figure in the graffiti scene in his region. He was the initiator of the first graffiti festival in Auckland, organizing multiple exhibition spaces. He also published a magazine and a book showcasing New Zealand graffiti art. Since 2010, Askew One has been expressing himself more in the realm of contemporary urban art, often referred to as « Post-Graffiti. » He focuses on creating art in his studio while continuing to work on large outdoor murals. Alongside his friend and fellow artist Benjamin Work, he contributed to defining the term « Post-Graffiti Pacific. » They use this term to describe contemporary urban artists or post-graffiti artists based in the Pacific region who explore subjects related to this specific geography, the culture of the region, and its history. Askew One’s artistic expression revolves around a blend of text and portraits, with a focus on themes related to human diaspora and its factors.
Now primarily dedicated to studio painting, the artist leverages his graphic design experience to create meticulously detailed portraits layered with strong abstract lines.
painting