Walton Ford & The Ugly Truth
Anyone who is familiar with me and my artwork, knows that I am deeply influenced by and fascinated with animals, and their representation in scientific illustration and prints, biology referendums, and their presence visuals that are dark and grotesque. When I first discovered Walton Ford I knew I had found the ethos of my inspiration. At first glance, it is not a simple affair to describe what his paintings are really about. They are powerful, they are raw, and they delve deeply into the human condition; teasing at the clash between our humanity's relationship to the natural world. Though the subjects depicted in his work are almost always animals, there is often a grimly humorous anthropomorphic presence. Ford's work embraces the styles of the famous natural history illustrators John James Audubon and Edward Lear, and in scope they are monumental. They made my teeth grind but filled me with terrible excitement.
The Royal Menagerie at the Tower of London-3 December 1830
“Ford has always been interested in painting allegories of original sins, lost truths, tragic consequences, raw deals, derelict suffering, bloodshed, and heartbreak.”
His most recent solo exhibition in 2011 was held at the Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York titled, “I don’t like to look at him, Jack. It makes me think of that awful day on the island.”
Paul Kasmin Gallery will also be exhibiting some of his NEW work at PAD (Pavillion of Art and Design) in London next week October 10-14th as WELL as participating in the Frieze London October 11-14th 2012.
There is so much I could say about Walton Ford and his incredible work, but I would like for you to discover him as I did and see his work for yourself. Below I’ve collected some of his paintings that I love.
“...A closer look reveals a complex and disturbingly anthropomorphic universe, full of symbols, sly jokes, and allusions to the ‘operatic’ nature of traditional natural history themes. The beasts and birds populating this contemporary artist’s life-size paintings are never mere objects, but dynamic actors in allegorical struggles.”
If after seeing all those paintings and you crave MORE (how can you not? maybe?) Taschen also has an incredible book of his work called “Pancha Tantra.” A limited edition version (only 1,000 were made) with 354 full color pages priced at no less than $2,000. If I were to ever have a dream come true it would be to own that book…probably. But ok there is a cheaper one for $70.00 as well HERE.