1/1 Artist Spotlight: cnnnr

ONE37pm's 1/1 Artist Spotlight is a series that focuses on giving love to 1 of 1 NFT Artists. Whether they're from the traditional art world or just got started in art through web3, we want to highlight and help you get to know those who are up and coming.

A 1/1 NFT is a unique, one-of-a-kind digital collectible where no other exists other than the piece itself. We hope to introduce you to talented and incredible people in the NFT space and the reasons they love doing what they do.

Connor Grasso, aka “cnnnr,” is a conceptual and landscape photographer from Alaska, USA. His work is self-described as psycho-conceptual and he always aims to bring beauty and meaning to raw, isolated natural environments.

ONE37pm chatted with cnnnr about his aspirations, inspirations, and story behind joining the web3 space.

You can view more of his work here.

How has your artist journey changed since joining NFTs? How did you start?

cnnnr: My journey as an artist changed tremendously when I found NFTs in the summer of 2020. My first experience selling an artwork as an NFT was in the fall of that year on SuperRare. It was a collaborative piece called “A Dancing Sky” that I created with a Brazilian artist named Femzor. I would have never imagined the space would be where it is today in such a short period of time. Before NFTs came around I had struggled to find an audience and get by financially with my work. Oftentimes that work didn't allow me creative freedom and I felt like I was massively underselling myself. NFTs changed the long standing system of keeping creative people suppressed.

Do you prefer physical or digital?

cnnnr: As I’ve spent the last 2 years in the NFT space, I’ve really come to appreciate physical work at an entirely new level. I print all of my 1/1 pieces sold on SuperRare, large format, with a printer in Los Angeles. All my materials are sourced from Hahnemühle in Germany. These pieces bring a very important aspect to my work and I believe they can often bring a more in-depth connection with the art.

Who or what are some of your biggest inspirations?

cnnnr: Some of my biggest inspirations within the realm of photography would have to include Paul Nicklen, Greg Girard, Robyn Walsh, Ben Zank, Taysa Jorge, Reuben Wu, and Henri Prestes.

What is your favorite piece?

cnnnr: It’s hard to say. This year I believe I’ve moved into work that speaks to the viewer at a louder and more direct level. I think any of my pieces that brush topics inside of psychedelia and self-discovery are the ones I’ve come to appreciate the most. 

What do you hope to accomplish in the next year?

cnnnr: In the next year I hope to deepen the narratives I have begun to explore this year. I also hope to do my first ever solo exhibition.

When do you feel most inspired to create?

cnnnr: I feel the most inspired to create when I find myself in a raw, isolated, natural environment. I recently moved back to Alaska to pursue these experiences at a higher consistency after spending some time living in Los Angeles and Italy. 

Who are 3 artists you have your eyes on at the moment?

cnnnr: The artists I’ve enjoyed the most recently are Omentejovem, Briscoepark, and Aleqth. The evolution of these artists has been inspiring and enjoyable to view.  

What advice would you give to an artist starting in space right now?

Would you rather be relatable or aspirational to your audience?

cnnnr: If I were to choose one I would choose to be relatable. I feel that most of my work touches on internal topics that most people have felt or experienced at some level in their lives. I think the more we realize how interconnected and similar we truly are, the further we may push forward.