Ever since the artist Chris Lam was a child, he had always enjoyed trick or treating on Halloween. This is one special day that we can disguise in any desired character. Halloween is out of the ordinary, we get to be seen by the world differently, at the same time creating a different perspective among the people around us. During the graduation year, Chris has started using the theme “Halloween” for a particular painting series; these paintings are strongly portrayed and all related to the disguised faces. Moreover, the album, “Bad Moon Rising” by Sonic Youth, inspired the idea of Halloween; these songs, for example, “Society is a Hole” and “Ghost Bitch,” speak out Chris’ point of view, and his thoughts towards the society. This album jacket also displays the mood of Halloween, with the pumpkin-headed scarecrow.
Through different monsters forms, Chris Lam took the privilege to display his perspective against the society: the unbalance and injustice system. Through the paintings, the artist gains the freedom to fantasize, to escape the ordinary, and to fight against the injustice. In addition to courage and righteousness, Chris’ monsters themes out the dark side of the society. As a metaphor of Injustice, Skate Monster addresses how skaters are being chased for doing something they enjoyed in public, robbing their freedom and leaving them with nothing. Injustice system implies how the authorities are blinded by filth, and corrupting the justice system with prejudice. To voice out such issues, in particular, Chris also finds resonance in the type of music that revolves around social issues. In a way, listening to the music of hardcore and extreme metal, it strongly influences his expressive choice of style, driving him to express certain madness in the drawings. The music and his paintings may look violent, yet they bring positive “straight edge” message. To balance the aggressive heroic figures, Chris creates his silkscreen on raw wood, presenting a touch of further edginess.
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