Zalkian

Zalkian was born between 1975-1985. His identity remains a mystery and similarly to Banksy, he goes to great lengths to conceal any personal information. His work is a fusion of POP-art and street art, and he is known for his unique and peculiar stunts, albeit rare. Zalkian first became known in wealthy circles in 2017 after setting a painting aflame during a private auction. Very few of his pieces are available on the market, and most of them in the form of limited-edition prints. In 2024, he made a comeback with his “Inferno auction” series, which is still ongoing.

It is unknown when Zalkian actually started creating art, however rumors place his early activity during the late 1990’s – early 2000’s. He mostly worked for private clients on a commission basis, and his free spirit conquered the hearts of selected collectors around Europe during that time. Most of his work was done behind closed doors and was never available to the public, however during 2013 he started releasing limited edition screenprints which were purchased by his close circle of clients.

In 2017, during an auction which was privately organized in a mansion in Spain, he was asked to auction a unique piece. After the auction, instead of accepting the bid, he lit the artwork on fire. After this stunt, his name started circulating among high-end art circles, eventually landing him lucrative deals for art commissions. He released a few more limited-edition prints during the following years, but he kept a low profile.

In 2024, Zalkian made a spectacular return after introducing his “Inferno auction” events, which are still going on. Damien Hirst famously praised the artist for his unique stunts, claiming that “Zalkian is the new Banksy”.