Hybrid Nature: The Symbolic Worlds of Martin Wittfooth

Canadian painter Martin Wittfooth has created a body of work that blurs the line between allegory and ecology, where animals emerge as powerful symbols of a changing planet. Horses erupt like volcanoes, wolves are carved from glaciers, and jellyfish glow like floating lanterns among flowers and fungi.

Born in Toronto and raised in Finland, Martin studied in Canada and New York, earning his MFA from the School of Visual Arts in 2008. Over the years, his work has been exhibited internationally and featured in publications such as Juxtapoz, Hi-Fructose, and The New York Times.

At the heart of his practice is a reflection on the tension between industrial progress and the natural world, portraying animals as guardians, omens, and witnesses to humanity’s impact on the environment. His paintings unfold as both cautionary tales and mythic narratives, balancing beauty with a sense of discomfort.

Martin’s latest solo exhibition, Deus Ex Terra, brings these themes into sharp focus and is currently on view at Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles through October 4.

More art on the grid via Colossal