Headchurner

2014

intaglio print

10x6in.

The first case where I experimented with character traits. I was breaking away from the skull and demon visuals and leaning towards depicting actual people because I thought it would resonate with the viewer more if they could see someone that looked like them. This is an intermediate work. This is a ghoulish figure, but he’s grounded by his thick, work button-up, his earring, and the wallpaper he’s chosen to pose in front of. I was still fully invested in my original subject matter, but if these “other-worldly” figures are constant points of discussion in some civilizations, how could I connect the viewer with figures that aren’t actually seen everyday? By surrounding the subject with objects we’ve created and use constantly; clothes, accessories, and home décor. The idea of this far-fetched figure having an affinity for a certain style is a way for the viewer to accept the weird visuals. This cohesion is driven home by his industrial shirt juxtaposed against the gilded wallpaper. Therefore the title comes from the figure’s head molding around the light while also describing the audience’s mind molding to accept this level of world-building.