Early Life and Artistic Foundations Born in Stavanger, Norway, in 1972, Martin Reed’s trajectory wasn't a conventional ascent through the established art world. His formative years were steeped in the radical DIY culture of London during the early 1990s—a period defined by artistic anarchy and a fervent desire to dismantle traditional systems. Studying Fine Art at Hornsey College of Art, he became immersed in a scene fueled by the energy of events like Damien Hirst’s “Freeze,” which demonstrated the power of artist-led initiatives. This early exposure instilled in Reed a deep skepticism towa…