Emerging Artists

I liked to explore, through an aesthetic reminding of death, the use of the body as an agent of life and therefor also of eroticism. The subjects, exclusively female characters, removed from their dresses, wear always masks that preserve their identity and underline their archetypical function. During our photographic sessions they have been playing with the idea of sensuality, pornography, grace, femininity and maternity, overruling very often limits and definitions. The photos, exclusively analog, result of Naked:#she 40” x 30” Gelatin silver print

a double exposure during the shutter-click, are welcomed with their flaws (such as scratches, unprecise overlapping, black stripes etc.) in order to underline their physicality, the uniqueness of every single shot, unrepeatable and subjected to the rules of casualty as are the lives of each individuals.

Gaia Adducchio gaiaadducchio.com

Nathan Margoni The Allure of The Comic Grotesque

I try to make respectable, serious art, but something always goes wrong. My good intentions are inevitably overcome by the allure of the comic grotesque. If it isn’t weird, funny, or both, I lose interest. This goes back to my childhood, when I had the same sense of humor and strange fascinations without all of the societal pressure and judgement. As an adult, I have responsibilities that I take seriously, but my art allows me to continue to play, laugh, and question the world like I did as a child. Many of my artistic interests began early in life. My love for drawing the figure started with Ninja Turtles, followed by baseball players, and then X-Men. I collected comic cards and admired illustrators like Greg and Tim Hildebrandt for their realism and drama. I would stare at those cards for a long time. I read comic books, too, but I was always disappointed when the pictures inside weren’t as detailed as the covers. I wanted images that I could really spend time with and get lost in. I wanted stories, but I didn’t necessarily want to look at word bubbles. I feel the same way today. In my narrative paintings, stories are implied but not stated overtly. In my zines, text and images are on separate pages. Gross things and comedy always went together in my mind. I thought farts were hilarious. The whole body was hilarious, all of those orifices, bumps and bulges, hairy parts, private parts, and smelly feet. I didn’t understand why everybody was walking around acting so serious in bodies that were so perfectly designed for comedy. As I grow older, I understand how bodies can be unpleasant Continued on pg. 12

strates the parallels between human experience and the myst

My Face Merging Into My Face Merging Into My Face, Acrylic on

paper, 96” x 288”, 2018 This panoramic self-portrait hangs from the ceiling in a near circle, surrounding viewers. The floor is covered with squeaky-toys and cardboard, activated by the viewers.

Caterpillar (Self-Portrait), Acrylic on panel and mixed media, 144”x

48”x36”, 2015 The caterpillar is a symbol of metamorphosis and change. I was thinking of my own journey through life and how painful the process of transformation can be.

The first few Boob Boys I painted were very aggressive, frightening characters, staring directly out at the viewer and making groping gestures with their hands. It took me a while to realize that Boob Boys are more than just depraved monsters. They are also tender creatures overwhelmed by shame and insecurity. Boob Boy Crying is a caricature of adolescent suffering that epitomizes both extremes: the depraved monster and the tender creature inside of every Boob Boy.

Once I understood their psychology, I could start to imagine their world. I drew Boob Boys at school, struggling to form friendships and avoid bullies. I drew them at home, defying and shutting out their parents. I drew them in nature, finding beauty and solace. By the end of it all, I felt a deep connection to these pitiful characters. They were, of course, just an exaggerated version of my adolescent self.

I wish someone had properly warned me about puberty. When you only have a few models of masculinity in popular culture to try to live up to, you’re bound to fail. I’m not saying that Boob Boys are the solution to this problem, but perhaps they can at least validate the confusing and overwhelming feelings that adolescents experience.

Deflated Graphite on paper 22.5” x 28” 2019

Man in the Mirror Graphite on paper 22.5” x 28” 2019