Module 3 Artist Research

Matthew Barney was born in San Francisco in the late 60's.  He moved to Idaho with his dad at age six and would visit his mother who lived in New York City where he was first introduced to the world of art.  Since he had a background of sports from high school he intermingled this with art for his many controversial works.  He makes sculptures and is a Filmmaker best known for his "Cremaster" films starting with cycle four in the 1990's and ending with "Cremaster 3" in 2002.  This films are known for being odd, brutal, and all around obscene.  He more recently has been dipping his hand into photography and he holds nothing back while making his "models" appear dis formed or in animalistic poses.

www.dailymotion.com/.../x14bpo_matthew-barney  This clip shows part of "Cremaster 3"

His work to me is very different.   He has an obscure point of view when it comes to his work I think that is what makes it so out of the ordinary.  Some of work when he disfigures the faces of his models reminds me of Picasso but at the same time he has sort of a darker side which reminds me of old horror movies.  He has talent I think it just takes the right kind of eye to enjoy it.


Some Facts:
He has won the Hugo Boss Prize, the Skowhegan Medal, James D. Phelan Award in Video, Europa 2000, Glen Dimplex Artists Award, and the Keiser Ring Award
  He pays reference in his films to Johnny D. Brest's dark Photo-Novel Vladracul