Top 15 NFT artists you should know about

The art world has significantly shifted towards digital media and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in recent years. The medium has emerged as a new platform for artists to showcase their talents and earn recognition for their work. Many famous NFT artists have gained widespread attention for their unique styles and impressive sales figures.

NFTs have a relatively short but fascinating history. The concept of NFTs dates back to 2012 with the introduction of the Colored Coins protocol on the Bitcoin blockchain. However, it wasn't until 2017 that the first NFT standard, ERC-721, was introduced on the Ethereum blockchain. This allowed for the creation and trade of unique, one-of-a-kind digital assets such as artwork and collectibles.

The NFT market initially exploded, with some NFTs selling for millions of dollars. However, during the crypto bear market, interest in NFTs dwindled from the highs seen previously. However, the asset type may be set for a new lease of life thanks to the arrival of ordinals and the possibilities they bring for digital artifacts.

Whether we're in a bull or bear market, NFTs provide a creative outlet for emerging and established artists. In this article, we'll walk you through 15 of the top artists in the NFT space.

1. Beeple

Mike Winkelmann, better known by his online handle, Beeple, is a digital artist and animator. Beeple gained popularity after selling a piece of digital artwork for $69 million in March 2021. The artwork, titled "Everydays: The First 5000 Days" is a collage of 5,000 images that Beeple created over 13 years. Beeple's art is best known for its surreal and dystopian imagery.

His relentless dedication to his craft sets Beeple apart from other famous NFT artists. For over a decade, Beeple has been creating new digital artwork daily. He's amassed a portfolio of over 5,000 pieces, and constantly experiments with new techniques and styles to push the boundaries of what's possible from digital art.

2. Pak

Pak is an anonymous digital artist with a significant following on the NFT scene. Pak's art often features abstract shapes and is created using generative algorithms. Pak's art is highly sought-after, and in March 2021, a collection of Pak's NFTs sold for $17 million.

Pak can create immersive experiences that transcend the traditional boundaries of art and technology. Pak's vision and creativity have opened up new possibilities for the art world. His influence is sure to be felt for years to come. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a casual observer, Pak's NFTs are a must-see for anyone interested in cutting-edge digital art.

3. Trevor Jones

Trevor Jones is a groundbreaking NFT artist who's gained international recognition for his unique digital art pieces. With a background in traditional painting, Jones brings a unique perspective to the NFT world. Combining elements of traditional art techniques and cutting-edge digital technology, Trevor Jones can create visually stunning and conceptually thought-provoking works.

One of Jone's most notable works is his series of "Bitcoin Angel" pieces, which features a colorful, winged figure hovering over various global landmarks. Each piece in the series is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation that's been crafted using a combination of digital painting techniques and 3D modeling software.

In addition to his art, Jones is also an active member of the NFT community. He uses his platform to promote other up-and-coming artists and raise awareness about the potential of Blockchain Technology for the art world. With his bold, innovative style and unwavering dedication to the NFT space, Trevor Jones is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and dynamic artists in the field today.

4. Krista Kim

Krista Kim is a digital artist and founder of the Mars House project, an NFT-based virtual home that sold for $512,000 in March 2021. Kim's art often features pastel colors and dreamlike imagery. Being a famous NFT artist, her work has attracted worldwide attention for its pioneering exploration of the intersection between art, technology, and blockchain. As one of the early adopters of the NFT (Non-Fungible Token) art movement, Kim has significantly impacted the art world by transforming how we perceive and consume art.

Kim's influence has extended far beyond the art world. Her works are featured in prestigious museums, galleries, and exhibitions worldwide. She has also been a prominent voice in the blockchain and NFT community. She's helped pave the way for a new era of art ownership, where collectors can own a unique, verifiable digital asset that's irreplicable and unforgeable.

5. Grimes

Grimes is a fascinating figure in the world of contemporary art and music. Grimes has made a name for herself as an artist, producer, and performer. In recent years, she has also emerged as a prominent NFT artist, creating and selling digital artworks that explore identity, power, and mythology themes.

Grime's NFT art is characterized by its surreal and dreamlike quality, as well as its attention to detail and symbolism. Her works often incorporate elements of science fiction and fantasy. She draws inspiration from sources such as anime, cyberpunk, and medieval art.

6. Fewocious

Fewocious is a famous NFT artist who's taken the digital art world by storm. With his unique style and extraordinary talent, Fewocious has captured the attention of collectors and enthusiasts alike. Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2003, Fewocious began drawing and painting at a young age. In 2020, Fewocious began creating NFTs, and his work quickly gained recognition for its bold, colorful, and imaginative qualities.

Despite his young age, Fewocious has already succeeded as an NFT artist. His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and sold pieces for thousands of dollars. In addition to his artistic talent, Fewocious is also a savvy entrepreneur who understands the importance of building a brand and connecting with his audience. He often interacts with fans on social media, and has collaborated with other artists and brands to create unique NFT collections.

7. Mad Dog Jones

Mad Dog Jones is the online persona of a Canadian digital artist, also known as Michah Dowbak. A unique blend of futuristic and nostalgic elements characterizes his artwork. It evokes a sense of wonder and excitement in viewers. Jones' art is heavily inspired by his childhood memories of growing up in the 90s. Despite being relatively new to the NFT scene, Mad Dog Jones has quickly gained a large following of art collectors and enthusiasts.

8. XCOPY

XCOPY is an anonymous famous NFT artist whose art often features dark and surreal imagery. XCOPY's NFTs have sold for as much as $1.2 million. He's known for his striking and provocative pieces that explore technology, identity, and human behavior. One of the most notable aspects of XCOPY's work is his use of a distinctive visual style, which blends traditional art techniques with elements of glitch and pixel art. This creates a stunning and almost hypnotic effect that draws viewers in.

Another fundamental feature of XCOPY's work is his ability to merge the physical and digital worlds. He often incorporates physical objects or materials into his digital piece, creating a sense of tangibility and depth that's sometimes lacking in purely digital art. This innovative approach has earned him a dedicated following of collectors and enthusiasts captivated by his unique vision and style.

9. Josie Bellini

Josie Bellini is a rising star in the world of NFT art. She's known for her stunning digital paintings that blend fantasy and science fiction elements. Intricate details and bold colors characterize her work, creating a mesmerizing visual experience that transports viewers to otherworldly realms. What sets Bellini apart is her ability to infuse her pieces with emotion and storytelling, bringing a sense of depth and meaning to her art.

Bellini's art has gained widespread recognition in the NFT community, with her pieces selling for thousands of dollars and earning praise from collectors and critics alike. She believes that NFTs offer a new avenue for artists to gain recognition and ownership over their work.

10. Slimesunday

Slimesunday, also known as Mike Parisella, is a talented digital artist who's gained widespread recognition in the world of NFTs. With his surreal and supernatural artwork, Slimesunday has established a distinct, recognizable style. His pieces often feature distorted and fragmented images that are glitchy and psychedelic, creating a sense of disorientation and unease in the viewer.

Slimesunday is different from other famous NFT artists due to his ability to blend different elements and textures into his artworks seamlessly. He combines photography, painting, and digital manipulation techniques to create beautiful and haunting compositions, making them deeply thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

11. Punk6529

Punk6529 is an extraordinary NFT artist who defies convention with a rebellious spirit. With a distinct blend of punk aesthetics and digital innovation, their art speaks volumes about counterculture and individuality. Each NFT creation is an explosive fusion of vibrant colors, bold strokes, and thought-provoking symbolism. The art challenges the status quo and invites viewers into a world of unconventional beauty.

Through their groundbreaking works, Punk6529 fearlessly disrupts the traditional art scene, leaving an indelible mark on the blockchain and inspiring a new generation of artists to embrace their unique voices.

12. Pako Campo

Pako Campo is an artist who's attracted worldwide recognition for pioneering NFT artwork. As an early adopter of this emerging technology, Campo has been at the forefront of the NFT revolution. His work often features vibrant colors and bold shapes while incorporating generative art and 3D animation elements. This unique combination of styles results in visually stunning and conceptually rich pieces.

Campo's art has been showcased in galleries and exhibitions around the world, from New York to Hong Kong to London. He has also collaborated with several high-profile brands, including Nike, Adidas, and Coca-Cola, to create custom NFTs that capture the essence of their brand identity.

13. Osinachi

Osinachi is a Nigerian-born digital artist who creates intricate and colorful art that often features African motifs and patterns. Osinachi's NFTs have sold for as much as $330,000, with his unique blend of traditional African art and contemporary digital techniques. He has created a style that's both distinct and captivating.

One of the most striking aspects of Osinachi's work is its ability to capture the essence of African culture in a fresh and modern way. His pieces often feature traditional symbols and iconography. He infuses them with a contemporary edge that makes them feel relevant and timely.

14. Tyler Hobbs

Tyler Hobbs is a Texas-based artist focusing on generative and algorithmic art. He meticulously creates computer programs that generate unique and complex artworks, exploring how computational aesthetics can interact with and reflect the natural world.

Hobbs creates art in a unique way that lets him be surprised by what he makes. He combines order and chaos in his work, using both modern technology and classic art elements to create exciting pieces that make people think.

15. Robbie Barrat

Robbie Barrat began experimenting with how to push the limits of art using computers aged 16. Now, Barrat employs AI to produce striking creative works, encouraging debates around how creativity and machine learning can combine to generate compelling art. He challenges what we think of as art in the digital age by experimenting with neural networks in combination with other media and forms of expression, such as the Minecraft game.

NFT or digital collectible?

From Trevor Jone's hyper-realistic and symbolically rich paintings to Pak's mesmerizing abstract designs and Mad Dog Jones' dystopian visions. Each artist has a unique style and approach that sets them apart. They have all demonstrated exceptional creativity and skill in their respective fields. Their works have captivated audiences and collectors around the world.

The success of these artists underlines the breadth of their talent and reach — helped by the opportunity for exposure brought by NFTs and other digital mediums. However, many would argue that one challenge from the NFT space is the overcomplication of what NFT actually means. Digital collectible, instead, could be the better term.

The final word

The world of NFT art is constantly evolving, and the 15 artists outlined above are at the forefront of this new frontier. Their work is pushing the boundaries of what digital art can be. And, they're inspiring a new generation of artists to explore the possibilities of NFTs.

Whether you're a seasoned collector or a newcomer to NFTs, these artists are worth watching. Their work isn't only visually stunning, but raises important questions about the future of art and the role of machine learning in advancing the creative space.

FAQs

Who is the most prominent NFT artist?

Beeple is the most famous and prominent NFT artist. He sold his NFT for $69M on March 11, 2021.

Who are the most popular NFT creators?

Pak, Fewocious, Trevor Jones, Mad Dog Jones, and XCOPY are some of the most popular NFT artists.

Who is the youngest NFT artist in the world?

Mia Wai is the youngest NFT artist, aged 12.

What type of NFT sells fast?

NFTs that are rare, unique, or limited edition often attract attention. Meanwhile, art that's produced by popular creators or is culturally significant has also historically been successful.