Cute, surreal, unsettling: Mark Ryden
Posted by Ms Harker | Filed under Creepy Pictures, Horror Art
Following up from my feature of dark kooky artist Camille Rose Garcia, I present for your consideration Mark Ryden. Mark Ryden is a relatively new artist to my favourites list. His depictions of nubile little girls often surrounded by surreal toys, iconic characters (Jesus, Santa and Lincoln drop by) and at times meat, leave the viewer in a state of confusion. Is this cute, is this messed up, pop culture, or just odd? Either way I think his art rates a mention within the horror genre especially considering the first image below. His bio describes his work as follows:
“Upon first glance Ryden’s work seems to mirror the Surrealists’ fascination with the subconscious and collective memories. However, Ryden transcends the initial Surrealists’ strategies by consciously choosing subject matter loaded with cultural connotation. His dewy vixens, cuddly plush pets, alchemical symbols, religious emblems, primordial landscapes and slabs of meat challenge his audience not necessarily with their own oddity but with the introduction of their soothing cultural familiarity into unsettling circumstances.”
Porcine Tea Party anyone?
Ms Harker
Mark Ryden
Mark Ryden
Tags: Horror, Horror Art
2 Responses to “Cute, surreal, unsettling: Mark Ryden”
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Bacoon Says:
May 27th, 2009 at 7:47 pmHey,
What’s with his picture of the hand bleeding on the baby next to the clown! Eek. I love the girl with the rose in her hair who is crying blood.
His work great, thanks.
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jessbo88 Says:
May 27th, 2009 at 9:26 pmWhat about the one with the girl giving ‘milk’ to the bunny!
