2020... It seems to immediately bring emotion, memories and disappointment to the mind. If there is one thing that remains in times of plagues, war, and human failure it is artistic creation that reflects and challenges those situations. No matter how dark our current predicament human nature finds expression in Art. We've chosen to feature some contemporary Dark Artists this month that are addressing our times through their unique Art. We've included corresponding links for each Artist's portfolio - so please follow directly and support if possible.
1. ANIMVS
Horns, claws, cloaked figures, God with a bore hole in the head.. These are the subjects of Animvs_. Accompanying the macabre ink work Animvs_ adds text that evokes a sense of dread, nihilism or fear. An ominous evil pervades the Artists detailed mixed-media and hand-drawn pieces. There is no soft lullaby, happy endings and simple solutions in Animvs_ work but an endless black mirror created in ink.
"You won't get what you want"
"God"
"Death Created Time..."
Find additional work by the Artist on Instagram
2. Caroline Harrison
Caroline has been featured on Dark Art & Craft previously for her often grotesquely detailed yet beautiful ink drawings. Her pieces address the alienation, anxiety, and discomfort of our current world. Each work has a direct honesty with its reflection on the gruesome and frail nature of our human bodies - as they are ravaged by time, place and disease. You can read our interview with Caroline here Gloopy, Mutated and Grotesque: The Work of Caroline Harrison & This Week's Featured Contemporary Artist
Like Bone Chimes. Ink, watercolor, and gouache on paper. 2020. Image via carolinedraws.com
You can follow the Artist directly below
3. Chemical Messiah
Heavily influenced by Albert Camus (The French philosopher and author of The Stranger and The Plague), Chemical Messiah (AKA Josh Dunlap) uses collage to form surreal and absurdist works. Combining religious imagery, pop-surrealism and absurd layouts - Chemical Messiah creates a world as insane as our current.
Chemical Baptism
Cult Image via Chemical Messiah
Find the Artist below
Website and Shop
4. Davide Rankore
Inspired by the films of Fulci, the concepts of death, and fear Davide Rankore, who hails from a small town in Northern Italy, creates bodies deformed and mutilated. His mixed-media painted works feature flesh covered in boils, blood and sliced cuts. Horrific as they seem Rankore's work is dramatic and filled with life, even if his humanoid creatures seem more bloody dead than alive.
The Plague
Schermata
BACTERIUM III
Find the Artist recent work on
