(c) Nishant Choksi c/o CIA – www.centralillustration.com
An unveiling of brand new and extraordinary monster illustrations will explore the inner workings of an artist’s psyche as the Idea Generation Gallery strips bare the art of monsters.
Move over Charles Darwin, this exhibition is leading a unique anthropological monster study – one step beyond for evolution.
The Monsters Inked show will explore the development of monster drawings from the deepest, darkest depths of an artist’s imagination, on to the sketchpad and finishing on the gallery wall – in an incredible exhibition of more than 100 monster images.
From an astonishing new commission of Pete Fowler’s surreal and psychedelic Monsterism Island to a world-first display of Rob Steen’s visceral Flanimals. The exhibition will take an exclusive and remarkable look at the innerworkings of an artist’s mind, to find out exactly where mind-boggling monster illustrations come from… revealing the story behind how & why they were created.
Monsters Inked will include:
• The world-first exhibition of 20 illustrations by Rob Steen from Ricky Gervais’ much-loved Flanimals
book. The show will look at translating illustrations through an artist’s personality, from the draftsman
board to the finished page of an international commercial smash-hit success.
• A dazzling 800 sq ft vinyl installation of Monsterism Island will prove just how far an artist can take the
concept of defining monster art – in this case Pete Fowler, best known for his work for the Super Furry
Animals.Images from the smash-hit Ricky Gervais book Flanimals are being exhibited at the Idea Generation Gallery as part of the upcoming Monsters Inked show – the first time the illustrations have been showcased in a gallery setting.
The show will explore the development of the images from the draftsman board to the finished page and exclusive prints will be available to buy for the first time.
Rob explained: “These illustrations have never been seen in this sort of environment, so this Monsters Inked show was a fantastic opportunity for me. Flanimals has been a huge success for Ricky and myself, and this exhibition should open up the books and these images to a whole new audience and also let fans learn so much more about the creative processes that go in to making Flanimals come alive.”
More than 20 images from the Flanimals book are being exhibited at the Monsters Inked show. It will show how the gruesome yet strangely loveable creatures made the transition from Ricky Gervais’ and Rob Steen’s vivid imaginations to the finished page of the smash-hit book, completely stripping bare the creative process.
• Artists including Thunderdog, Mick Brownfield and Ray Smith from the Central Illustration Agency are
also showcasing the world’s best illustration and creative talent at Monsters Inked. More than 30
illustrations will be on show from nine different illustrators exploring how monsters can be represented
through a wide array of radical artistic styles.
• A unique Monsters Den and a thrilling Monster Hunt created by The Monsters Inked Children’s Programme
Partner – which will let the imagination of the gallery’s younger visitors run wild.
Grob Illustrations
A soaring 800 sq ft high installation of Monsterism Island by cult graphic artist Pete Fowler will be a
breathtaking highlight of the Monsters Inked show.
(c) Pete Fowler*
The wall will be a uniquely created island version of Pete’s cult hit Monsterism Island – and monsters and creatures from the island will be seen escaping all over the unique Idea Generation Gallery space.
Pete Fowler is known for his work designing the psychedelic world of Monsterism Island which has spawned toy figures, clothing and all kinds of merchandising. He is also well known for creating art for the Super Furry Animals’ record sleeves. His work has also been featured in trendsetter’s bible Vice magazine and used extensively in commercial advertisements for TV and print. Pete has exhibited artworks from paintings to sculptures around the world and in recent months has been dedicated to working on his Monsterism project, with a CD of original psychedelic recordings from the Monsterism musical explorers to be released in April.
Pete explained: “The Monsters Inked show should be the perfect foil for Monsterism Island. To look at how different artists define and interpret the idea of being a ‘monster’ is something that is really fascinating – hopefully this show should make a few more people think about it too.”
Artists from the Central Illustration Agency will be showcasing some of their finest monster work at the
Monsters Inked show.
Artists exhibiting at the show include Andrew Bannecker, Dave Needham, Mick Brownfield, Mick Marston, Martin Haake, Jonas Bergstrand, Ray Smith, Nishant Choksi and Tristan Eaton/Thunderdog Studios.
As well as showcasing some of their best illustrations, a selection of the artists will be engaging with the local communities by leading drawing, art and creative sessions for youngsters and other community groups.
Jonas Bergstrand, an illustrator and graphic designer based in Stockholm, Sweden, said: “I’ve never been very scared of monsters or ghosts but maybe that’s because I’ve always stayed away from horror movies. And in the house where I grew up we had a see-through staircase and my bed was a solid construction with so no room for monsters to lurk.
“I’m more interested in the culture and images surrounding horror movies than the actual films themselves. Being frightened is a bad pastime in my mind. For me the fascination for monsters grew from reading Mad magazine as a kid. I loved and still adore the artwork produced by the likes of Jack Davis. His drawings of monsters are still the best there is. I’d kill for a copy of his famous full figure Frankenstein poster. That very image is my favourite monster of all time. That’s one monster I would certainly like to meet face to face here in my own home.”
The artist Nishant Choksi explained his work: “The Hot Rod piece was a personal piece created for an exhibition. It was loosely based a on a old B movie poster called ‘Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow’
”My interest in Monsters comes from these 1950’s B movies and their movie posters. The posters had wild imagery of outrages monsters from outer space and with the development of nuclear weapons the possibilities became infinite.
”It is great fun exaggerating human attributes and mixing them with another species to create strange worlds / creatures. This vivid imagery always stayed with me and I try with each monster to create my own ‘B movie monster.”
Alicja McCarthy, Agency Manager at the CIA, said: “The CIA are very excited to be a part of the Monsters Inked showat the Idea Generation Gallery. Not only is this a great opportunity to showcase some of the finest monsters in the land, but also some of the finest home grown and international talent around.
“The ‘monster’ idea could not be more suited to those involved even if it tried. The sheer diversity and unique qualities of each artist is something we pride ourselves on, and to be a part of what looks to be one of the finest shows this year, we’re delighted.”
Monsters Inked Children’s Programme
Local schoolchildren are being welcomed in to the Idea Generation Gallery to get involved in the unique
Monsters Den, the Monster Gallery Area and the Monster Hunt.
The Monster Den will be a creativity studio incorporating a studio for artist-led workshops in illustration, toy and print.
It will also feature wall space, a digital zone for online chat & internet access and a bespoke design studio.
A further addition to the programme will see monsters displayed throughout the exhibition space as part of the Monster Hunt. Youngsters completing the challenge will be given a monsters education pack and a goody bag.
Monsters Inked: Inside the minds of The Gods of Monsters will be exhibited at the Idea Generation Gallery from April 8th to 4th May 2009. Visit www.ideageneration.co.uk for more details.
