Alex Gibbs, a graduate from the Edinburgh College of Art, creates not-so-innocent works of art with tools that were once considered incredibly innocent. Using gouache and pencil crayons, his work has a childlike feel that belies the mature subject matter at hand. Nevertheless, though he focuses on the sinister side of the human condition through such events as plain crashes, sexual exploitation and neurosis, Alex Gibbs' colorful illustrations are found endearing.
Born in Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom, Alex Gibbs' work revolves around descriptive titles such as "When I watch you I feel like a pervert, and I like it" and "I want to get as high in the trees as the birds do." The juxtaposition between the palatable, friendly medium and the seedy, disturbing topics hones in on the complexity of life.
Sinister Cartoonish Illustrations
Alex Gibbs Juxtaposes Childlike Style with Mature Subject Matter
Trend Themes
1. Sinister-childlike Juxtaposition - Opportunity to create art that merges seemingly opposite styles to convey depth of emotions in a unique way.
2. Mature Subject Matter in Innocent Mediums - Potential for innovation in other fields where mature topics can be approached in unconventional ways.
3. Descriptive Title Usage in Art - Opportunity to use creatively descriptive titles to bring additional meaning to visual art.
Industry Implications
1. Art - Exploration of new forms of artistic expression and storytelling.
2. Publishing - Innovating how mature subject matter is presented in children's literature without being too provocative.
3. Advertising - Potential for advertisers to use the allure of innocent mediums to sell products that tackle tough or taboo subjects.