David Gerstein doesn’t just make art, he makes art that moves. Not literally (unless you count the countless people who stand in front of his sculptures and sway with excitement), but in the way it pulses with energy, vibrancy, and an unmistakable zest for life. His signature style? Laser-cut metal works that burst off the walls in layered, colorful explosions. And if there’s one recurring theme in his art that perfectly encapsulates his approach, it’s the Graffiti Heart.

The Man Behind the Metal

Long before laser-cut metal became a staple in contemporary art galleries, David Gerstein was pioneering the technique, pushing boundaries and proving that flat surfaces just weren’t going to cut it—literally. A classically trained painter, having studied at the Ecole Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and later at the Arts Students League in New York, Gerstein took traditional art and cranked it up a notch... or maybe ten notches. His work is a mash-up of painting, sculpture, and pop art, infused with humor, movement, and an undeniable joie de vivre.

While he’s known for everything from cyclists to jazz musicians, one of his most iconic motifs is his graffiti style, a bold, layered, and wildly expressive take on art, and urban culture.

A Heart With an Edge

Forget the soft, sentimental hearts you find in greeting cards. Gerstein’s Graffiti Heartis what happens when passion meets street art. It’s layered, textured, and bursting with color, much like the graffiti-covered walls that inspired him. Gerstein has always had an affinity for the stimulating energy of urban landscapes, and his work often reflects that, pulling elements from graffiti, street culture, and pop art into one electrifying whole.

These graffiti hearts are more than symbols of love, they’re symbols of life, pulsing with the chaotic beauty of the world around us. Whether it’s a neon explosion of color or a delicate interplay of metallic shades, each piece has its own personality, its own rhythm.

From Street to Studio

While graffiti has historically been the rebellious teenager of the art world, David Gerstein has managed to bring its spirit into high-end galleries, corporate spaces, and private collections. His Graffiti Heart is a perfect example of how he bridges the gap between street art and fine art, taking inspiration from spray-painted murals and turning them into sophisticated, collectible pieces.

The secret? Laser-cut metal. Gerstein was the first artist to use this technique on a grand scale, creating three-dimensional paintings that don’t just sit on a wall, they jump off of it! The precision of the laser allows him to create intricate layers, while his background as a painter ensures that the colors pop in a way that feels alive.

Why We Love the Graffiti Heart

Gerstein’s Graffiti Heartist series resonates with so many people because it captures the essence of contemporary love. It’s messy, it’s colorful, it’s unpredictable, and it’s utterly captivating. Like a great graffiti piece on a city wall, it tells a story that feels personal yet universal. It’s the kind of art that doesn’t just sit there looking pretty; it demands attention, interaction, and appreciation.

Whether you’re an art collector, a street art enthusiast, or someone who just loves a good pop of color in your life, David Gerstein’s Graffiti artworks are hard to resist. It’s proof that love (and art) doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real, bold, and full of life.

So, the next time you come across a David Gerstein piece, take a moment to let it pull you in. After all, it’s not just a sculpture, it’s a story. See David Gerstein's full collection here.