Cacogen

[Evangelion Mix]

I just can't get enough of painting ambiguous characters in robes. This is certainly low-hanging fruit but what fun? The mask is a new twist on the theme; now you can't even be sure if the face underneath is even human, and I took care not to give any definitive hints as to the anatomy underneath the fabric. Since my first taste of the exotic was reading Arabian Nights, whenever I think of a far away place the initial location is inevitably somewhere in Asia Minor and these pieces are no exception

Original size 9x9 © 2010 Alex Ledante

Here is the Evangelion inspired version of the cacogen: Once again a masked figure crouching in an alley, concealing an ambiguous form in threadbare robes but the remains of embroidery suggest a priestly figure fallen from grace. The composition is deliberately chosen so that the alcoves suggest wings (or indicate their absence)

Fans of the series will recognize the damage to his mask while those unfamiliar will read it as another indication of squalor

Cacogen [Lynch Mix]

Original size 11x8.5 © 2010 Alex Ledante

This is the version inspired by David Lynch. Since one of my favorite techniques is depicting things in a much more sinister fashion than they would normally appear, it should come as no surprise that I often look to Lynch for clues on how to portray even mundane subjects in disturbing manner

While the piece is filled with elements which should evoke a Lynch kinda vibe, I didn't want to plagiarize so only the mask is taken directly from his work. While the rest of my decisions were made with that certain bias, this piece could hardly be considered derivative...