September 28, 2021

#passthesenf: You won’t be able to look away from Vienna-based artist Martin Tardy’s mesmerising one line art

Art created through the use of a single continuous line – so-called ‘One Line art’ – has been popping up everywhere on socials for a while now, however, the Vienna-based artist, Martin Tardy, was a master of the craft long before it turned up on the ‘Gram.

In his art, once a line is started, it doesn’t leave the page. It remains unbroken until a figure appears, which is often a human body in a sensual pose.

He’s blown up on Instagram, boasting over 180k followers and 10s of thousands of views and interactions on every video he publishes of himself performing his art. That’s the thing – looking at Tardy’s work on a wall is already a mesmerizing experience while watching him create it is on a whole other level of captivating. Following the lines as he draws them sends you into some kind of trance.

We spoke to Tardy about his art, and his story of how he got started.

#passthesenf

#passthesenf is our Instagram feature series where we interview talented Vienna-based Instagrammers, who are then featured on our Vienna Würstelstand Instagram account with their brand of senf (mustard).

If you’re an obsessive Instagrammer and think that you’ve got what it takes, then drop us a line: editorial@viennawurstelstand.com

1. What does art mean to you?

It’s the center of my life. I am 24/7 in planning and conceiving new art pieces, just allowing my ideas to flow. But it has always been my biggest passion. I was always creative, drawing and experimenting with various techniques.

2. How did you get started?

I was attracted to drawing from the moment I held my first pencil, and I’ve never stopped being fascinated since.

In 2017, I started my Instagram account and it grew very quickly a following of people who didn’t know me in real life. Because of the great feedback, I decided to create prints and sell them at a designer market in Vienna.

Luckily, people were attracted to my prints and some seemed to like my drawings. Soon, I held my first solo exhibition in October 2017.

3. Did you have a mentor?

I don’t really have a mentor, but I have a great team! My father is assisting me in the organisation side of things. He also motivates me to realise my ideas. Meanwhile, my girlfriend brings structure to my artist life and is also my best critic!

4. Describe your art in 8 words, or less.

Based on reality, created intuitively, flow, instant decisions, dynamic, my way of communication, reduced.

5. What inspires you to create art?

Everything and nothing specifically. I take inspiration from nature, materials, physics, chemistry, people, technology, my mood, and my imagination

6. What’s your favorite material/ surface to create art on?

I don’t have one. For me, the materials I use to move with the evolution of my work. I love to make new interpretations using new materials, and challenge myself, to learn about new techniques. I also like to work with professionals in different fields.

7. How do you want to empower people with your art? What’s the message you’re looking to convey?

I like to think that in most of my work I leave room for people to fill in the story with their own creativity. People see my work from different angles and see what they want to see. I like to hear about their interpretations and check them out for myself.

It is not a message, it is more the feeling of inner peace that each of my artwork seems to reflect. It’s calm and dynamic – a balance.