Nightmare in Wonderland

Hey there!

I'm delighted to share a new soft sculpture!  

This mischievous serpent was created for a new exhibition, opening April 11 at Distinction Gallery:  

The Nightmare in Wonderland Project 

This show collects work from artists all across the globe, to celebrate the work of Tim Burton.  

When creating a piece for a Tim Burton tribute show the initial burst of inspiration is almost overwhelming.  In order to start working, I focused on a simple flow:

Surprise  -  Delight  -  Temptation  -  Horror

Tim Burtons' ability to charm in one breath and terrify in the next is one of the aspects I find most appealing in his films.  While I was sketching out my initial ideas for this piece, I was inspired the most by Burton's 1982 film Hansel and Gretel.  

Burton's Hansel and Gretel is a true nightmare - disturbing and yet completely engaging.  Burton's formula for terror is drawn out through this familiar tale:  a dreamlike surprise, which delights us and draws us in.  Temptation follows, and we're lost in exploring something new, sweet, sticky…  And then we're caught.  And then the horror really begins.

Detail:  heavy hand-beading glistens under the serpent's coils.  

He seems to be oozing something saccharine, perhaps to lure you in closer… a little closer... 

"Curious"

12" x 6" x 5"

Wool and wire, with beading details 

Back is finished with cotton fabric and embroidered signature.

$450 - inquiries to Distinction Gallery

The Nightmare in Wonderland Project, Part II

Opening April 11 at Distinction Gallery

Exhibiting Artists include: Andy Kehoe, Ania Tomicka, Atsuko Goto, Bill Carman, Calvin Ma, Clementine De Chabaneix, Domenico Scalisi, Dorote Zaukaite, Dan May, Elisa Anfuso, Heather Nevay, Ixie Darkonn, Jon Jaylo, Julie Filipenko, Kukula, Lana Crooks, Leila Ataya, Leslie Ditto, Lola Gil, Mark Elliott, Mark Kostabi, Matt Dangler, Melissa Sue, Naoto Hattori, Natalie Shau, Paul Barnes, Ray Caesar, Roby Dwi, Antono Ross Jaylo, Scott Radke, Susanne Apgar, Tasha Zimich (artist and project assistant), Victor Castillo, Yoko d’Holbachie and more! 

Click Here for the Facebook Event

And Here you can watch the video created for the event

"A Nightmare is a misunderstood dream we may not share, out of fear of ruining it. This project pays tribute to the creative process of bringing beauty out from our nightmares. The artists in this project have paid a silent tribute to one of the greatest directors of our time, who has embodied and embraced the beauty of the nightmare on screen. Their work speaks of this visionary artist secretly, just as nightmares are spoken of silently in wonder and awe.” -Ixie Darkonn