Dylan Cram

This series explores the clichés used in the portrayal of evil in Hollywood entertainment. The classical processes of portrait painting are hereby used as a vehicle for a destructive act. At completion, these meticulously painted portraits are subjected to destructive brushwork where nearly all the detail is removed. This act of negation leaves a different kind of mark than usual. The classically sought individual of portraiture is replaced with the stereotype, the archetype, or the icon.

This project analyses the intersection between transcendental experience (divine or traumatic) and the pictorial representation of conviction. The images rely on stylistic excess in order to apprehend and/or recreate the moment of transcendence, and to synthesize the appearance of belief.

This project analyzes content derived from violent entertainment. By reworking film stills extracted from Hollywood war films and blood-sport entertainment, 24 Frames decontextualizes fast-paced action and addresses our cultural fascination with violence.

Carcass is an exploration into seduction and repulsion in imagery. In this image, various animal parts taken from nature movies are recombined into a roughly hewn digital reconstruction that is delicately embellished with oil paint. This project imbues photographic realism with romantic allure.

Montage shows an experience that requires an explanation. There is, however, no before or after for the viewer and no refuge like that created by one’s conscience. Understanding can only be sought after in the expression of the model’s face, intentionally rendered mute and unexpressive.