Art in motion: Shantell Martin puts her stamp on Martone Cycling Co's designs

New York-based artist Shantell Martin has teamed up with Martone Cycling Co. to create a series of limited edition bicycles for Artspace

(Image credit: press)

By Ann Binlot

last updated 31 October 2022

in News

Cycling has been booming in New York City - there are more than twice as many cyclists on the streets than in 2005, according to the New York City Department of Transportation. With all the bikes on the road, it's no wonder that Artspace partnered up artist Shantell Martin, who bikes around New York herself, with Martone Cycling Co for, well, an art bike.

Martin, whose art mainly consists of her own 'language' of black-ink doodles and words scrawled on white surfaces, looked towards urban cycling as her inspiration, using her trademark black ink to write terms like 'Now,' as well as doodles on 26-lb all-white Martone Cycling bicycles accented with an angular basket, red chain and Lucite pedals. 'Martone cycles are beautiful, well made, and the perfect canvas for me,' she said. The bikes aren't meant to be precious works of art for display in your home, you're supposed to actually ride them around town, and not have to worry about the black ink being stripped away from the elements because it's covered in lacquer.

'The word cycle for me represents an unbroken ring, a symbol of growing of understanding of moving forward - cycling is all of those things with the added motion of always moving forward and progressing,' said Martin.

Each bike in the series is a unique work of art, and because of that, they're priced at a hefty £2,500.

The bicycle is a moving white canvas, except for the red Lucite pedals, chain and brake cables which add a pop of colour

The made to order bikes were inspired by New York City's commuters

'The word cycle for me represents an unbroken ring,' explains Martin, 'a symbol of growing of understanding of moving forward - cycling is all of those things with the added motion of always moving forward and progressing'

Martin's collaboration with Martone Cycling Co. transforms the regular bike into an artwork; its surface into a canvas

Each bike in the series is a unique work of art, and because of that, cost £2,500

A image of bicycle — Despite their unique art work status, the bikes aren't meant to be precious works to display, they are supposed to be used and ridden around. The black ink is covered in lacquer, so won't be stripped away by the elements

Ann Binlot is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer who covers art, fashion, design, architecture, food, and travel for publications like Wallpaper*, the Wall Street Journal, and Monocle. She is also editor-at-large at Document Journal and Family Style magazines.