Artist Richard A. Kirk was born in England in 1962 and raised in Canada. According to the biographical notes on his website, his work "was influenced from an early age by the classic book illustrators and forms found in nature, particularly insects and their homes. It amazed him that creatures with weird, even monstrous, forms coexisted with the ordinary world of schools and gas stations. It was perhaps inevitable that his personal artistic explorations led him to explore fantastic and surrealist themes." In addition to creating works for exhibition (in silverpoint, ink, watercolors, and oil paints), he has also illustrated books by Clive Barker, Caitlin R. Kiernan, China Mieville, and others.
Kirk's work can currently be seen (along with Kris Kuksi's) in Oblivion: Lost Worlds, an exhibition running until May 7th at Strychnin Gallery in Berlin. On the web, check out Kirk's website and blog, and an interview with the artist on Clive Barker's website.
"There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion."
-- Sir Frances Bacon, 1625
He certainly picked a great quote to go with his artwork. Wow, this is creepy and strange in a very cool way. I particularly like the picture entitled Galaxy on his site under the New Oblivion Series. Really great stuff. Will be bookingmarking that site for sure.
Posted by: Carl V. | April 19, 2007 at 10:24 AM