By Rachel Galvin
Laurence Gartel is a walking billboard, a canvas of his own creation. Mastering the art of self promotion, this artistic legend is a beacon everywhere he goes. He is a vision in color and design, decorated with his own art from his head to his feet, often carrying his newest books, and wearing his scarves around his neck or Shashibo art cubes as bracelets. He is hard to miss. But it is not just his look that draws people in. It is his energy. To be near him is to be surrounded by it like a golden halo. He draws people in.
He announces his accolades so boldly that people doubt his prowess but he has the evidence to back up his claims. He truly is the father of digital art. When this man taught Andy Warhol how to use the Amiga computer so he could create a piece for Debbie Harry, he changed history. Warhol now could expand his artistic vision. But that chance meeting at Studio 54 that led to the collaboration also was the feather in the cap of Gartel, who went on to further his own mark on the art world. Although he already had quite a career — being included in the Bibliothèque Nationale Paris collection already by the age of 22 and being included in the Museum of Modern Art before his 25th birthday.
Today, he travels all over the world. People create large exhibitions in his honor. He has worked with celebrities from Justin Timberlake to Britney Spears. He has been commissioned to do work for massive companies, from Coca Cola to Absolut Vodka. He created the 57th annual Grammy Award. Yes, this man gets around.
And he is not one to rest on his laurels either. His work has progressed over time and he has expanded into other fields – such as fashion and toys. His before-mentioned Shashibo art cube has become a hot seller. He put his art not only on canvases and products, but also created digital art cars wrapped with his designs, including for Tesla. His newest invention utilizes robots to create his design. Oh, and he has several new books with that art in it too. Is there anything this man can’t do?
Everywhere he has an exhibition, people of all types come out to enjoy the party and it becomes quite an event. It always is a unique experience and a chance to meet people you would probably never meet otherwise.
The story of his life has been captured in a new film directed by Roberto Dassoni called “Digital Titan,” which will be shown on June 11 at Movies of Delray, starting at 6 p.m. (movie at 7 p.m.). The movie already had a local premier at Savor Cinema on November 2 in Fort Lauderdale. It is a very in depth look at his life, much like you had jumped in his car and taken a tour with him through the stages of his journey, from his simple life in the Bronx to teaching others to taking over the world one artistic piece at a time.
For tickets to his movie, visit moviesofdelray.com. Movies of Delray is located at 7421 W. Atlantic Blvd.
Pictured below (L to R): Robin White carries Laurence’s books, that she worked hard to put together with him, with this reporter at the Palm Beach Show 2026; Laurence and I at the premier of his film last November at Savor Cinema. Photos by Rachel Galvin.
