A collaboration with Saatchi art
Saatchi Art’s invitation to create NFT avatars using van Gogh’s self-portraits was an enormously exciting opportunity for me as an artist. It offered a novel way of weaving together technology, art history, and cultural memory. Van Gogh has always held a special place in my imagination since first encountering him through Irving Stone’s Lust for Life decades ago – the story of an uncompromising artist who refused to conform, yet remained committed to telling important human stories. I have always seen him as a profound humanist: rooted in the natural world, motivated by compassion, and convinced that moral values arise from human experience rather than the supernatural.
Twelve Other Avatars
I titled my series Sartorial Van. Here, “The Sartorialist Van” does not blindly follow fashion trends, but instead curates his attire to honour key social movements and individuals who have shaped the last century of dramatic social and economic change since Vincent’s death in 1890. Each avatar becomes a celebration of culture and progress, connecting van Gogh’s enduring spirit to the unfolding story of humanity.
Chaplin and Humanism
Among them is Sartorial Van Chaplin. I grew up adoring Chaplin’s films, and as I matured, I came to admire the man – a humanist who used satire to reveal the truths of human nature. His speech in The Great Dictator still moves me profoundly, every time I hear it. With humour and defiance, Chaplin turned Hitler from a figure of terror into an object of ridicule, showing how laughter can be resistance. By pairing van Gogh’s image with Chaplin’s voice and words, I wanted to highlight their shared belief in compassion, dignity, and human resilience – values that remain just as urgent today.
