About Mikael B

Mikael B fully manages to transform impressions and experiences into an abstract design language that exudes energy and joy as he creates his conceptual works of art with spray and acrylic. As an urban contemporary artist, Mikael B has developed his own identity and special signature, deeply rooted in his early years as a graffiti artist. From the start, Mikael sought to depart from the traditional ways; he has his own, unmistakable style, which he is eager to share with the outside world. His life unfolds on the basis of an awareness of being present and acting in the present.

The works are attractive and open to interpretation. It is art that we step into and experience with our entire body. A universe where everything can happen – a mindset that also permeates Mikael B’s life. He juxtaposes and challenges art historical references from Baroque to Cubism, expressed in utterly contemporary fashion with spray paint.

Raised on Tuse Næs, west of Copenhagen, Mikael already exhibited a strong need to express himself visually as a child. It all started with his notebook drawings during school hours; his parents immediately acknowledged the need and allowed him to paint with spray cans on large wooden boards in the family’s backyard. As a teenager, Mikael quickly became part of Copenhagen’s graffiti environment in Sydhavnen, where he painted several hundred walls in a few years.

Taking up a graphic designer course seemed only natural given his passion for creating colors and shapes. However, the desire for independence was so great that he left his internship colleagues halfway through training to found IDentity Provided, a design agency with his twin brother and later manager, Morten.

Still, Mikael never abandoned his artistic dreams, which a single work turned suddenly real. Mikael created his own world map when he couldn’t find one that lived up to his expectations. “Vibrant World” was the title of what was the start of his meteoric career. Friends and acquaintances sought copies, and over a million views of a Facebook photo that went viral confirmed the artist’s career bet. The brothers sold the agency and Mikael moved to Los Angeles to live the dream. Mikael B the artist became a solid reality.

His agenda was bursting with wall projects for international companies such as LinkedIn, Google, Nike and American Express. Brands such as Mercedes, Chase and The Black Eyed Peas have had the pleasure to work with Mikael. One after another and several group exhibitions led to the first solo exhibitions on Danish soil (Just Be, 2016) and American soil (Reality Shift, 2017). Mikael B has been attending one of the world’s leading art fairs for several consecutive years; Art Basel, Miami, incl. a solo exhibition at SLS Hotel in collaboration with the charity Lonely Whale in 2017.

He has always had a desire to give back and use his art to make a difference. For this reason, the artist founded the Mikael B Foundation in 2017, where all charity projects come together. It started with a school in Cambodia but has since spread to projects in favor of saving the world seas, planting trees to reduce CO2 in collaboration with The Perfect World Foundation and, last but not least, he is an ambassador for the Red Cross.

In 2018, Mikael B reached a milestone with his 10,000 m2 Never Tomorrow exhibition in Copenhagen, the largest one so far. His art is represented at the International Gallery Taglialatella, which in addition to their New York gallery also operates galleries in Paris, Toronto and Palm Beach, Florida.

Highlights:

  • 2014: Mikael’s first abstract world map “Vibrant World” goes viral.
  • 2016: “Just Be” first solo exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark
  • 2017: Solo exhibition at Gregorio Escalante’s gallery in LA.
  • 2017: Solo exhibition at SLS Hotel in Miami under Art Basel in collaboration with actor Adrian Grenier and charity Lonely Whale. In this context, Mikael adorns the iconic Philippe Starck sculpture at the SLS Hotel (sold out with all profits to Lonely Whale).
  • 2018: Mikael is selected to decorate one of LA’s best known buildings, The Art Share building. As a thank you for his contribution to LA, The City of Los Angeles honors Mikael with a Certificate of Recognition.
  • 2018: “Never Tomorrow” Mikael’s largest and most comprehensive solo exhibition to date in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • 2019: Exhibition in New York at Taglialatella Galleries.
  • 2020: Exhibition with Maddox Gallery in West Hollywood, California.
  • 2021: Solo exhibition “Flow State” with Maddox Gallery in West Hollywood, California.
  • 2022: Solo exhibition “The Evolution Of Everything” The Plant, Copenhagen.
  • 2022: Context Art Miami, solo show booth with Taglialatella Galleries.
  • Press & TV

    DR1 “Aftenshowet” (Watch video)
    TV3 “1. Class Merchants” (Watch video in danish)
    LA Times
    LA Weekly
    Hi-Fructose
    Graffiti Art Magazine
    LA Canvas
    Berlingske
    Jyllands Posten
    BT
    MetroXpress
    Politiken
    Aarhus Stifttidende
    TV2 Lorry
    TV2 God Morgen DK
    DR1 P1 Radio

    Publications

    The Fine Arts Collection 2014 (International Graphics)
    Bizarre Beyond Belief “The Collection” Volume One 2015
    In Heroes We Trust – Street Artists & Their Heroes 2016
    Mikael B “Infinite Universes” 2016
    Monograph “Never Tomorrow” 2018

    Highlighted Clients

    Nike / The Jordan Brand
    American Express
    Heineken
    LinkedIn
    Google