3 Famous Works by Mason Storm

Mason Storm is the anonymous artist creating provocative artworks that feature comical art history references and poke fun at modern society. The artist hides his identity behind a signature balaclava, adding an air of mystery to his persona and artwork, similar to Banksy. Storm has even alluded to the fact that he may have created a piece of street art originally tied to Banksy. This has created somewhat of a rivalry between the two anonymous artists. Storm is constantly provoking his viewers with his anonymity and has consequently created quite a following. Join Artsper as we highlight 3 of Mason Storm’s most famous artworks!

The London-born artist has no formal training in the arts. However, his paintings and sculptures are appreciated for their strong technical skills and provocative content. Storm often inserts recognizable images from pop culture and art history in his works. For example, he includes figures such as Pinnochio and Charlie Brown paired with references to famous paintings by Caravaggio and Norman Rockwell. This juxtaposition within Storm’s paintings is provocative, and his artworks force viewers to ask questions about current society. Let’s take a look at a few of Mason Storm’s masterpieces!

Monkey Parliament, 2022

Storm’s painting series titled Monkey Parliament is clearly politically charged. The artist sets the scene of the United Kingdom House of Parliament. However, the politicians are replaced by a court full of monkeys. The artist exaggerates the complete chaos that often occurs in politics these days with this replacement. The painting features some monkeys shouting and hollering, and others picking their nose. Storm uses this ridiculous depiction as an exaggeration of the disorder that occurs in current politics.

Toxic Beach, 2021

In this painting, Mason Storm reimagines a famous painting titled The Singing Butler by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano, in a much darker setting. A posh couple dances gleefully on the beach, seemingly oblivious to what’s going on behind them. The artist adds a scene that references the detrimental oil spill to the original painting, which was formerly clean and peaceful. Storm comments on how we treat our planet in this provocative version of a recognizable painting.

Thug 4 Life, 2018

Storm revisits a Norman Rockwell painting in his artwork titled Thug 4 Life. In Rockwell’s original work, a policeman sits next to a very innocent child in a diner. In Storm’s version, the seated child sports a t-shirt with the words “Thug 4 Life” written on it and a gun tucked behind his back. Perhaps the artist is commenting on the loss of innocence in children and the violence that they are exposed to in modern society. This painting is moving in the way it places a child in an unexpected–yet sadly realistic–more mature setting. 

An unsolved mystery

Mason Storm continues to fascinate art lovers with his modern take on classic paintings and anonymous identity. He keeps his followers on their toes, and we will continue to follow him to see his newest provocative paintings. Who knows, maybe one day he will reveal who he is beneath the mask…