Influences: Zdzisław Beksiński

Looking at a surreal Beksiński painting can be a lot like viewing the wrinkled, decaying remains of nameless corpse under a large microscope. The detail with which he renders the various bones and organs, as well as the seemingly draped flesh covering them, is part of what I find so astonishing about his work. I find that Beksiński thoroughly excavates the many weaknesses and frailties of his subjects, letting the viewer know them more intimately. This is similar to how I approach, and participate in, photography. I often prefer getting as close to as subject as my lense will allow; this lets me to explore the many interesting intricacies of my subjects.

The surreal aspect to the artists work is very important as well. I love the decayed, ethereal quality he uses to make awesome and disturbing landscapes, which is shown in my tendency to want to photograph the grungey nooks and cranies of my surroundings. I pay a lot of attention to the textural and atmospheric qualities of what I photograph, and I find my self very drawn to the color palette that Beksiński uses.

I find his figures very humbling, and utterly honest. I find that I can know an intimate part of them and share in their experience. When I photograph people I try and be as honest as I can, which is say that viewer should gain some meaningful insight on the person being photographed.


Note: Beksiński never gave titles to his paintings, and dimensions are not provided on his official website.