Lisbon 25: Bryan Brinkman
NonFunGerbils In Lisbon 2025 with Bryan Brinkman
Core Memories and Candy Coatings: Bryan Brinkman on Nostalgia and NFT Art
In a lively conversation at the NFC Summit, artist Bryan Brinkman shared a look at his busy schedule and the artistic philosophy driving his work. Brinkman affirmed that the NFT space remains dynamic and creatively fulfilling for him, stating, "it doesn't stop me from still being creative," regardless of market conditions.
The core of Brinkman's current work revolves around nostalgia and core memories, a topic he was scheduled to present on at the conference. He notes that if you look at what people collect—from CryptoPunks' 8-bit art to the success of recent Pokemon-themed projects—there's a clear connection to cultural touchstones.
Brinkman intentionally taps into these memories, often integrating references to childhood artifacts like old board games or swing sets. He describes this use of nostalgia as a "candy coating gloss" that makes his art more palatable for viewers. This happy, familiar aesthetic allows him to tell stories about heavier, more personal subjects, such as imposter syndrome or death, without overwhelming the audience. Tapping into nostalgia thus helps evoke emotion and guides people deeper into the art's narrative.
Beyond his creative philosophy, Brinkman outlined a packed near-future schedule, including:
A drop with the Paintbox project at Art Basel, Switzerland.
A one-of-one for the SuperRare gallery, which will be on display during NFT NYC.
An upcoming NFT Boxes collaboration with the Pranksy team.
His conference appearance itself was a nod to core memories; his presentation included a fun audience participation segment involving a giant parachute, a throwback to gym class, culminating in an airdrop of hand-stamped ball-pit balls for attendees to take home.
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