Like many artists, some are lucky enough to find their passion and hone into their skill-sets at an early age. That includes graffiti artists.
Taye Benjamin, known artistically as Terox, is making a name for himself as the youngest artist ever to exhibit work at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead. At just 11 years old, Terox has already achieved significant milestones in his burgeoning art career, including having his piece Rain Clouds After the Storm sold on opening night of the Baltic’s open submission exhibition.
From a young age, Terox has been passionate about art. “It’s my passion, so when I come home to do art I’m like, oh my god yes, it’s finally time,” he says. His journey into the art world began around two years ago when he started taking his work seriously. In that short time, he has made impressive strides—working on a legal wall in Bishop Auckland, contributing to a festival in Morpeth, and even being featured in a book about emerging artists.
Terox’s dream of having work displayed at the Baltic became a reality remarkably fast. His mother, Keri Allen, recalls, “He’d been a regular visitor to the Baltic before he put his work in and said, ‘I want to get my work in here.’ We took him to an exhibition by local graffiti artist Mul, who encouraged him to keep working hard. Just eight weeks later, his work was in the gallery.”
Terox’s commitment to his craft is evident in his work ethic. “From his attitude and talent, I just knew he’d do it,” Keri adds. Terox’s dedication is also reflected in the respect he’s earned from adult artists. Initially, he faced some resistance but has since been welcomed into collaborative projects with other artists.
The young artist’s journey began with drawing and painting at age two, eventually evolving into graffiti. Initially practicing on cardboard and wooden boards, Terox’s talent quickly garnered attention. He will soon showcase his work at the Baltic Art Car Boot Fair on July 14, alongside renowned street artist Alex Mulholland, and will host his first solo exhibition at Bottleworks in Ouseburn from August 1-6.
One of Terox’s signature styles, his “bubbles,” originated from a happy accident. While working on a piece featuring a masked skull, a spray technique gone awry led to the creation of the bubble effect, which has since become a hallmark of his work. “It looked like there were bubbles dancing on the clouds where the rain was,” Terox explained, linking his inspiration to weather events and personal experiences.
Terox’s upcoming appearance on a CBBC show, where he swaps skills with Jamie Oliver’s son, Buddy, further highlights his rising profile. His work, driven by a blend of youthful creativity and a mature work ethic, continues to captivate audiences and art enthusiasts.
For a glimpse into Terox‘s evolving art journey and to witness his impressive talent, visit the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art or check out his upcoming solo exhibition. This young artist is truly one to watch as he continues to make waves in the art world.
Written by: Bernadette