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YOUZEKarl Kristian Youze · Reykjavík

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About

Karl Kristian Youze

Names

  • · Visual art: Karl Kristian Youze · Kalli Youze · Youze · UC
  • · Current music: Chosen Ground
  • · Historical music context: DJ Demo · Charlie D / Charlie Dee · Subterranean

BIOGRAPHY / REYKJAVÍK

Karl Kristian Youze (Kalli Youze), born in 1977, is an Icelandic visual artist. Graffiti and hip-hop became part of his life in his teens and have stayed with his work for more than three decades.

Karl works both on walls and on smaller pieces made on paper. Spray paint, watercolor, ink and oil all appear in the work, alongside book illustration. His experience of mental illness and recovery, and the effort to find balance, meaning and hope, can also enter the pictures.

On the worktable

Many pieces begin quickly, with the directness of a sketch. Some are finished in one sitting; others take shape over months or years. Paper and smaller formats, often A3 or below, remain central to the work.

Practice & projects

Media & working method
Spray paint, watercolor, ink and oil all have a place in Karl’s work. He moves between graffiti, large murals, drawings and paintings, and has also illustrated books.
Education & creative communities
He holds a diploma from the painting program at Myndlistaskólinn í Reykjavík and has participated in creative work at Janus, Hlutverkasetrið and Hugarafl.
Current projects
Karl illustrated two books in 2026. He and Arnaldur Máni work together as Víðförli at VIN on Hverfisgata. Their new projects include a book bringing Karl’s pictures and life story together. Götustriginn was a collaboration with List án landamæra. Chosen Ground is Karl’s current music name.

Sources & links