Glitch Aesthetic

Calgary-based artist Marta Timmer creates stunning visual imagery with a vibrant blend of glitch aesthetics and original photography. Her work explores abstract themes of memory, beauty, ethereality, decay and the invisible energies that lie beneath. We interviewed Marta to learn more about her art, her process and her motivations.

Why do you create?

I create to survive, cope, escape, explore, reflect, heal, and disappear. It's a way of being that I like to engage with. It's always been a part of me. Unfortunately I don't always have the kind of time I'd like to dedicate towards it.




That creative spark can come from anywhere for me, but lately my process is driven by memories, events, and emotions. Sometimes I'm inspired by other artists as well.

It's usually in the evenings, or in the middle of the day if I'm lucky to get some time to myself. Me and my laptop, anywhere in the house. Sometimes I like to sit down at a desk - depends if I'm expecting something to take me a long time.

What makes your art unique?

I've always liked making all kinds of art from painting, to collage, to photography. I am traditionally trained, but right now my online presence heavily focuses on glitch art.

I suppose what makes it unique is that I work strictly with photography created by me and my husband. I don't source stock images, though I do not rule it out in the future. I guess it gives me more control over the final image.




It's kind of a paradox to talk about control with glitch, but there are definitely ways to exercise it. It's always been a struggle for me to decide whether to control or let go of something, both in art and life.

My process is two-tier. I take a photo, considering lighting and subject matter - something that would look interesting or pleasing when dressed in glitch, then I vandalize the image in multiple ways. I've recently started collaging them together as well, introducing yet more control over the final outcome.




I'm mostly focused on the aesthetic, either causing true glitches to occur, or imitating glitch effects with the use of Photoshop. I don't use any specific glitch apps.

The themes I like to work with are memory, decay, beauty, ethereality, and a bit of mysticism. There is a lot of self-portraiture in my work as well. Looking inward and deconstructing the self is another source of ideas for me.

Where do you sell your art?

I have work listed on Foundation and I used to have a Hic Et Nunc page as well until that one disappeared (you can still see my work from there on Objkt). I'm planning to sell physical prints on my website in the near future. I also do commissions, and sell works locally.

Are you influenced by other artists?

I think all of us are to some degree. If not specific artists then styles maybe? None of us creates in a vacuum. When I started my relationship with art, I was heavily into works by the Romanticists, then got super interested in Zdzislaw Beksinski, and H.R. Giger.

Right now it's the wild west out there for artists on the internet. You can find a ton of inspiration on a daily basis. I really like work by Alycia Rainaud, Andy Gilmore, and Sam Spratt to name a few.




Marta is a multi-talented artist and her other work includes public art installations, sculptures and collages. Marilyn (above) is a 6,000+ piece mosaic, hand-made from scraps of fashion magazines, which took over 6 months to complete.

Do you have any advice for other artists?

Follow your heart. If it tells you to create an image, write a song, make a movie, take a photograph, then who are you to refuse it?


Thank you for answering our questions Marta. You can see more of Marta Timmer's amazing creations by visiting her website, or by following her on Twitter and Instagram.