Zokoe23

Bio

Zokoe23 is a contemporary British artist whose work captures the intersection of graffiti culture and modern nostalgia. With roots in the street and a studio practice that brings precision to raw energy, his pieces reflect a unique blend of chaos, clarity, and cultural memory. His work is instantly recognisable for its explosive colour, animated mark-making, and the reimagining of iconic characters through a distinctly urban lens.

Each canvas is a visual jolt — bold, playful, and meticulously layered. What begins with instinct is refined through technique, allowing street aesthetics to evolve into complex, collectible works that resonate beyond the surface. There’s movement in every line and emotion in every layer, speaking to a generation raised on both spray cans and screen culture. Zokoe23’s work doesn’t just reference graffiti — it reinvents it.

Statement

I grew up in Surrey and first discovered graffiti when I was 13, after a friend’s older brother introduced me to the rush of painting walls. At first, it was just for fun and a bit of a buzz. But everything changed after a holiday in France, where I watched an artist bring Simpsons characters to life across a huge mural — that moment lit a spark in me for something bigger.

Through my teens I threw myself into graffiti, and as I got older, my practice started to shift. The raw energy of the streets gave way to canvases, where I could explore not just scale, but depth, detail, and the more artistic side of the culture. The name Zokoe23 doesn’t carry a set meaning — it can mean whatever you want it to. I just liked the letters. But over time, it’s come to represent something more for me — a way to focus, stay creative, and channel my energy into something positive.

At the centre of my work are characters that spark instant recognition and nostalgia. By reimagining familiar icons with the movement and rhythm of graffiti, I want to create something that feels both familiar and new. My use of bold colours, shadows, and highlights is all about making the piece jump — I want it to pop off the wall, full of life, energy, and purpose.

Artworks by Zokoe23