I’ve known Mr. Scott Shellhamer for a good number of years now, and have enjoyed watching his artwork progress. I couldn’t be happier with the work he submitted for ‘A Walk Through the Dark: Artworks of the Macabre, Strange, and Bizarre’ (on view now through May 10th or online here). Its an extremely solid body of work, complete with the chaotic energy and pockets of thoughtful detail that I’ve come to love in his work. Below is Scott’s personal bio because, well, I couldn’t have said it any better.
In Scott’s own words from his site:
Chicago artist Scott Shellhamer was born and raised in the Midwestern fundamentalist dogma belt, and subsequently, his work deconstructs icons, depicts dysfunction and despair, and occasionally blasphemes. In the best tradition of other eerie surrealists, such as Stephen Gammell and Zdzislaw Beksinski – both of whom he cites as an influence – Shellhamer is self-taught and prefers traditional media, favoring raw emotion and an organic, undeniably human quality over machine-tooled precision. His works have been displayed in many Chicago galleries as well as international showings. In addition to producing dark, disturbing visuals, he also produces dark, disturbing noises as guitarist for “long-running and very unsuccessful” metal band American Heritage and used to play drums with indie instrumentalists Ghosts And Vodka. He also enjoys hoppy beer and befriending homeless cats.
