Some artists follow a linear path to success, while others take the scenic route, full of detours and rediscoveries. This was true of Carl Holt, an artist who as "Soft Wasp", after a 20-year hiatus, has returned to the creative fold with a fresh perspective and an unapologetic drive to make art on his own terms.
Graduating from Stoke Polytechnic in the 1990s, Carl Holt dove headfirst into the vibrant and chaotic art scene of Manchester. Renting a studio, displaying works in bars and nightclubs, and embracing an avant-garde persona, he was determined to make his mark. Sculptures and paintings flowed freely, but a lack of depth in the work, coupled with limited recognition, led to growing disillusionment. By the time marriage and family entered the picture, the dream of being a full-time artist was packed away in favour of a "proper job."
Fast-forward twenty years, and the itch to create could no longer be ignored. Freed from the pressures of success and the pretensions of youth, Carl returned to his craft - this time, purely for the joy of creation. The intervening years hadn’t been completely devoid of creativity; Carl had spent time making beats in genres like drum and bass and dubstep. This musical experimentation, steeped in postmodernism, became a creative outlet and a framework for his re-entry into visual art.
“There’s something deeply compelling about the mashup culture of postmodernism,” Carl explains. “The way it borrows, blends, and sometimes outright steals from what has gone before resonates deeply with me. It reflects a world where anything is just a click away. That’s the energy I bring into my art today.”
Drawing from the works of icons like Picasso, Lichtenstein, Jack Kirby, Hockney, Jasper Johns, and Pollock, Carl also finds contemporary giants such as Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Damian Hirst, and Banksy deeply influential. And yet, it’s not just modern art that inspires him. “The innate creative mastery of sites like Lascaux makes me wonder: What drives us to make images at all?”
Two standout pieces encapsulate the themes and techniques that define Carl's approach.
Monkey Stole My Bike.
This work, rendered both on canvas and as a print, juxtaposes a nostalgic image of a Chopper bike with a powerful chimpanzee. Beneath its seemingly simplistic surface lies a layered commentary on racism, media, and cultural narratives. The title - a playful distortion of an offensive internet meme - invites viewers to confront uncomfortable societal truths while reflecting on personal and collective biases.
American Graphic.
A wordplay on “American Gothic,” this series explores the juxtaposition of found silhouettes and architectural elements to create colourful yet desolate landscapes. The graphic design aesthetic contrasts sharply with the dark subject matter: familial violence, betrayal, and the morbid fascination of true crime culture. Carl’s sharp eye for irony points to a world where tragedy becomes entertainment - a reality binge-worthy enough for Netflix.
For Carl, the return to visual art is as much about self-expression as it is about embracing ambiguity. “The work I produce is open to interpretation, criticism, or just simple viewing. That’s the beauty of it - it’s there for anyone who wants to engage.”
His LettsArt gallery showcases this renewed energy and passion. Whether you’re drawn to the bold commentary of “Monkey Stole My Bike” or the layered narratives of “American Graphic,” his work invites you to look closer, think deeper, and perhaps even question your own perspective.
To see more of Carl’s journey and work as Soft Wasp, visit his LettsArt gallery. Rediscovering creativity after two decades has brought new life to his art - and his story is a testament to the enduring power of the creative spirit.
