Sebastian Holbrey

Sebastian Holbrey (b.2001 in England; based in Edinburgh, UK) creates multimedia works in both illustration and painting. By using themes of control, discomfort, religion, rituals & tradition, and life & death, Holbrey’s pieces are designed to express personal experiences within a modern reality.


In order to make sense of pivotal experiences and relationships in his life on the canvas, Holbrey creates his concepts in a first-person POV, all within guidelines of grids, squares, circles, and labels, paired with limited colour pallets and a distinctive stippling and pointillism technique. His works come together to create a naive-looking photo diary of the uncomfortable and/or thought-provoking moments within the mundane.

Within his painting practice, Holbrey also explores methods of expanding the uses of canvases and the types of canvas that can be used to paint his images upon, whether reusing existing materials or constructing his own.


In his illustration practice, Holbrey is deeply inspired by modern graphics, depicting the same themes of control and reality that are seen in his paintings. The illustrations touch on longer narratives that utilise absurdism and dark humour to address his experience of derealisation and anxi...

2021-2024; Edinburgh College of Art
Painting Ba (Hons)

2023; City Rat Collective