Balloon artistry sounds like something straight out of either a futuristic museum pamphlet or a description of one of the acts of a traveling circus. Either a recreation of the past or language of the future, balloon artistry is an art of the present. If you’re anything like me, learning about these specific types of artists will make you giddy with joy to know that balloons, something I previously thought of as a simple birthday gesture, can become something as profound as art.
Today I’ve rounded up five balloon artists that you need to follow on Instagram. Let’s help them blow up all over social media, shall we?
With a bio that reads, “Visual artist and balloon destroyer,” Jan Hakon Erichsen had redefined what it means to be a “pop artist.” It’s rather hard to describe his work; it’s contemporary, unique, and often made for the NFT world. Balloons feature prominently throughout his projects, but always at the expense of being destroyed in a multitude of hilariously cruel ways, whether from a knife sculpture or a spinning contraption. Regardless, no balloon is safe. My mind does not work in the same way as Jan’s, making every single one of his posts both a mystery and treat. He’s a true artist.
Typography has been reimagined through balloons thanks to Michael James Schneider. Think irreverent quotes on massive walls with letters made from balloons. The thought behind the idea is so simple, but the execution is flawless. The messages range from PSAs to witty one-liners to inspirational words. Think, “I know everything happens for a reason, but what the fuck.” I’m not sure how he finds these colorful walls or perfectly aligns the letters, but I’m ok just being an enthusiastic observer.
Graham is a balloon artist to the max. The characters he creates with balloons I couldn’t even draw with as much emotion. It’s fascinating how a children’s novelty can get transformed into a shape that depicts such emotion. His bulldog piece is one of my favorites because the look the balloon dog is making is my dog’s face when I’m eating dinner, and he wants me to share. He also built a drum set entirely out of balloons, and while it doesn’t make music, it sure makes a statement.
There’s one word to describe Tiffany’s balloon art, and that’s “sweet.” Her pieces are charming, and she just recently posted a new skill of balloon distortion, which is the art of using inflated twisting balloons inside other balloons to make a different shape. The result looks more sculptural and structured than your typical balloon art; in fact, I had to do a double-take to make sure it was even made out of balloons at all.
If there were such a thing as a balloon museum, you’d find Masayoshi Matsumoto’s piece sprinkled throughout the entire space. Not only is every single piece a masterwork of balloon artistry with exquisite designs and intricate details, but there’s an accompanying YouTube channel that walks you through step by step in creating your own. From an intricate hornet to the mesmerizing seahorse, you name an animal, and you’ll find it and be amazed at its beauty on this account.
