Watch out Banksy, I'm coming to get you!" That's the message from new South Croydon artist Martin Askem.

The 36-year-old, who grew up in Tooting, has only been painting for two years but has already developed his own unique style called Kushki and has plans to bring his Birth of Art concept to the world stage.

"My mum brought me up alone and I wanted a way to express some feelings and thoughts," he says.

"I used to write the odd poem and doodled quite a lot in meetings and people said they were quite good so I decided to give it a go."

Martin is hoping to set up a foundation in the future for other up and coming artists and also to open a Birth of Art Gallery in Croydon that would include his Kushki works.

"They are my own representation of the human condition," he says.

"This project is a culmination of life experiences and a reflection of society at large.

"Art became a huge outlet which helped me to overcome some dark days of my own life and it was during this realisation I learnt that art could be more than a visual treat - it can change people’s lives.

"A canvas can mirror life in many ways - you start of blank, nothing there, as time goes by you fill in the gaps.

"When I paint I paint from the heart, not to appeal to you or them."

To view Martin's work, visit his website martinaskem.com.