Whenever anyone stops by to see what I’m working at and asks what it is, it’s always kind of a difficult question. I suppose the closest name to what I draw are “monsters” but I don’t think that’s much of an answer…it’s just difficult to call them anything else; things that almost look animal or almost look human, but with slight (or occasionally not so slight) additions or removals from the figure: speakers wired inside of a mouth, eyes replaced with lenses, Jesus with a goat head and tubes plugged into his body, a face with no features but a single horn coming from the forehead, etc. All of these are initially recognizable things with recognizable emotional feelings attached to them (confusion, isolation, fear, etc.) but with these changes it brings a whole new dimension with the thing. I guess that’s why it took so long for me to find any sort of other artist to look on for inspiration, which is what made me so thrilled when I found Gerald Scarfe‘s illustration work on Pink Floyd’s album “The Wall“.
Though his work is more abstract than mine generally is, the subject matter itself and how it is presented is what caught my attention. Gerald Scarfe’s drawings and animations regarding the album/film focus on the same issues I attempt to capture, but he managed to create figures that not only showed the human features and emotions displayed, but the more inhuman and downright terrible facets of the subjects as well. The thing is even though only a fraction of what he’s done is what actually influenced what I’ve done, it was/is easily the most prominent of all the artists I’ve looked at for any sort of inspiration or influence.
Here’s some of his work: http://www.geraldscarfe.com/gallery.asp?work=Pink%20Floyd&f=4&ID=335
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I looked at some of Gerald's work and it looks pretty cool! I love some of his distorted faces. Thanks for sharing some of your inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHis stuff is pretty twisted. Creepy, intriguing, warped. I liked the one titled "Mother." It reminded me of Alice and Wonderland, specifically the Queen of Hearts.
ReplyDeleteScarfe did the illustration for one of my favorite films, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, if u haven't seen it u should. I like how he knocks authority figures down a peg in these drawings and I especially like the drawing of the war lord, it reminds me of a Francis Bacon painting.
ReplyDeleteGerald's stuff is pretty cool! When you were describing your work I thought of an artist that I really like that I think you might like too, Alex Pardee. He does a lot of distortion and the human figure and "monster" type subjects.
ReplyDelete(Emily N.) I think that’s its awesome that you have an artist that you can relate to. I enjoy the way Gerald Scarfe portrays emotions in his artwork. I have never seen drawings like his before. His work is abnormal, fascinating, and memorable.
ReplyDelete(Brandon R)Love Pink Floyd and I love these illustrations. They are not at all dissimilar to those of Ralph Steadman which is who I think actually did "Fear and Loathing". He worked a lot with Hunter S Thompson. Also he is responsible for a lot of very fun wine labels.
ReplyDeletethese illustrations are super sweet. I'm really interested in abstract stuff. these made me think about strange stuff.
ReplyDeletehis works are truely impressive
ReplyDeleteyou've showed us a really great artist
could see how you're interested in this subject
hey I checked out some of his stuff... thats pretty crazy/ weird and bizzare/ yet captivating. If his works are some of the things that inspire your own work id be interested in seeing your stuff. sweet stuff thanks for letting us know about Gerald Scarfe
ReplyDeleteScarfe's works definitely are intriguing. Browsing his gallery was really captivating; he does a great job like you said of capturing emotion, made these pretty intense on an emotional level for sure.
ReplyDeletecool stuff
ReplyDelete