Born in Zaandam in North Holland, Brian Elstak has many roles—artist, illustrator, painter, children’s book author, storyteller, and convenor of creatives. WePresent explored just one part of his practice: his rough drawings-turned-gifs, which bring together hip-hop moves and such comic characters as Spiderman, Catwoman, and Howard the Duck. Brian has worked for numerous brands and institutions in Amsterdam, including Scotch & Soda and the Stedelijk Museum, as well as those further afield, such as G-Star RAW and Adidas. He doesn’t shy away from politics, collaborating with War Child and The Black Archives, and incorporating his beliefs into his artistic output. Along the way, he’s published children’s books, such as the award-winning “Tori”; exhibited at Amsterdam’s Rembrandthuis and Van Gogh Museum; and founded the interdisciplinary collective LFMC, bringing a multi-rooted perspective to the Dutch creative scene.
Stories with Brian Elstak