NECKFACE

The illustration I’ve chosen is from the graffiti artist/illustrator known as NECKFACE. His true name and identity remains at large to the public and his face is disguised in every publicized picture. His work ranges from watercolor and gauche on paper to enormous wall paintings along with tags and sculpture. The work is typically inspired by horror films/scenes and brutality of all sorts,but in a somewhat humorous sense.(At least to some.)Personally I think all of his work is hilarious. His work makes him out to be a total creep, but the creepiness is what makes the work what it is. I personally don’t find his work offensive, but more graphic with a sense of fun to it. For example he made a series of work titled “Cannibal Carnival,Pay to get in Pray to get out,” which is a series of illustrations of a demented circus and clowns being hung or killing other clowns. He turns the idea of a circus being inviting and a fun time entirely upside down. I love how he’ll take a topic or someone’s view on something and completely smash it into the ground and laugh about it while he’s doing it. The illustration I’ve chosen is of a zombie clown being hung by a bunch of balloons floating away. I’m drawn to this illustration because it shouldn't be right to think it’s funny, but it’s hilarious and somewhat contradictory of it self. For the most part his characters are zombie themed and illustrated in bright colors wearing small tight black underwear,usually killing something or being killed. The drawings are sketchy, sometimes accidental or not completely thought out fully, but I’t doesn’t really matter with his work, because it still is a strong piece and gets his point across. Neckface’s work is definitely a love it or hate it type deal, but I think there’s humor to be seen in his work even though the imagery can be seen as disturbing, grotesque, or childish.-Erik Lundquist