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Jonathan Payne’s Sculptures Are Like a Twisted Version of David Cronenberg’s Nightmares
Art is something that is subjectively appreciated, no matter the medium. What one person appreciates and finds meaning in, another person might feel absolutely nothing. We enjoy things that we take inspiration from, pieces that are influenced in some way by what we ourselves feel and experience. It’s what allows us to connect on an emotional level.
Jonathan Payne‘s sculptures fall into this odd area where I am just as repulsed as I am fascinated. The seemingly organic looking pieces, which fall in his Fleshlettes series, are undeniably revolting yet there is something unmistakably hypnotic about them. Perhaps it’s the desire to stare at that which is different from us. Perhaps it taps into our own morbid curiosities. Whatever it is, I know that I can’t look away. It’s like I’m seeing the work of David Cronenberg mixed with Carpenter’s The Thing.
You can see more of Payne’s work on his website.
In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war, but it was a cheerful illustrator from England who helped to define the terrifying war-torn imagery that inspired what we now know as Grimdark (a hybrid genre combining horror with sci-fi/fantasy).
Unfortunately for fans of Warhammer 40,000, Trench Crusade and countless other sources of Grimdark thrills, veteran artist John Blanche passed away this week after struggling with health issues for the past few years.
While the artist retired back in 2023, he leaves us with an enormous legacy of iconic artwork that continues to inspire gamers and storytellers around the world to this very day.
The news is especially gloomy as it was only last year that Daniel Lowman and Napoleon Dynamite himself Jon Heder released The Grim & the Dark: The Search for John Blanche, a documentary following Heder’s exploration of the Grimdark genre culminating in a heartwarming encounter with Blanche in his own home.
Below is one of my favorite pieces by Blanche, his highly influential depiction of Warhammer 40k’s God-Emperor of Mankind on his Golden Throne.
We send our deepest condolences to John Blanche’s family, friends, and fans.
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