Artist Philip Colbert releases 7777 unique NFT Lobster Portraits

*Lobstars NFT group shot. Image courtesy Philip Colbert*

This March, British contemporary artist and pioneer of the metaverse Philip Colbert announces his most advanced community project to date, “Lobstars”, a new collection of 7777 lobster portrait NFTs launching on www.thelobstars.com as a ‘lucky dip’ on 18th March 2022.

Each unique “Lobstar” – not just a covetable artwork in Colbert’s hyper pop style – is a chance to become one of the 7777 Lobstar Citizens of his surreal metaverse. “Lobsteropolis City” is the largest art world on Decentraland, covering 57 parcels.

The gateway to Lobsteropolis citizenship, this collection of unique Lobster Portrait NFT’s are also Lobster ID cards and are an intrinsic part of what the artist intends to be the most innovative community art project in the metaverse. Of the 7777 “Lobstars,” the NFT rarity remains hidden until after purchase, ranging from ‘Every Day’ right through ‘Star,’ ‘Superstar’ and ‘Legendary’ to the rarest of all “Lobstars,” the ‘Masterpiece.’

As a lobster-loving project, merging digital and real worlds, Colbert Studio has partnered Lobstars with The National Lobster Hatchery in Cornwall and the Whitby Lobster Hatchery in Whitby. For every “Lobstar” holder, research will be funded, and for each NFT sold hatcheries will be sponsored to release a real lobster into the wild, ensuring real time sustainable outputs with every digital interaction. The Lobstars launch follows the new UK government declaration that lobsters, crabs, octopuses and related species will be included under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill. This paves the way for legal protection from practices like being boiled alive and having the tendons of their pincers cut.

*Lobstar NFT. Image courtesy Philip-Colbert*

“Lobsters are truly amazing animals. The more we learn about these incredible animals the greater inspiration our society can take from natural design. Also, these species play an important role in the ecosystem. By unlocking the mechanisms of their life and biology the greater equip we as humans will be to help protect and conserve lobsters and our marine environments.”
Joe Redfern, The Whitby Hatchery

Colbert has spent the last 12 months working at a deep level with the Robotics development at University College London, as well as Dr. Kevin Scott at the St Abbs Marine Station to explore the intelligence of these iconic mystical clawed crustaceans which have held a prominent place in history for over 100,000 years. Lobsters have appeared in menus and in symbolic ways throughout history, from the Moche people of Peru during the period between 50 CE and 800 CE to the Viking period. They have consistently been explored for their seeming immortality – shedding their entire exoskeleton through ‘molting’ as they grow and evolve into new forms. Research carried out through the Lobstars NFT funding will be fed back to the community through Discord and @thelobstars social media, but also will be manifested in future exhibitions and documentaries produced as part of the project.

Often referred to as the ‘godson of Andy Warhol,’ Colbert has created a global following for his cartoon Lobster alter ego. His energetic hyper pop expansive paintings, sculptures and collectibles have become something of an art phenomenon, populating museums and private collections worldwide. Throughout his work, Colbert explores the patterns of contemporary digital culture and its relationship to a deeper art historical dialogue – his digital and virtual projects are logical evolutions.

The minting of the “Lobstars” follows the opening of Lobsteropolis City in June 2021 – which was marked by an exhibition and auction at the Lobster Land Museum, curated and hosted by globally renowned art auctioneer and dealer Simon de Pury, a live DJ set at Lobster Land Records by legendary American New wave band DEVO, and a physical launch event at the Serpentine Gallery in London.

*Philip Colbert in the studio 2022. Courtesy Colbert Studio*

“I love the democratic spirit of digital community art projects, it’s creating a whole new possibility for art. I love the concept of developing this art machine system which can push creative uniqueness and boldness for everyone at an accessible price, turning the traditional model upside down and allowing a much wider audience to engage with my work.

“I have always believed that artists create worlds, and being an artist today I have more creative possibilities to push this idea further than has ever been possible. I see the Lobstars project as a real opportunity to build my art world community, and begin a journey never seen before. Buckle up, fellow Lobsterites – we are heading to the Lobster Planet.”
Philip Colbert