At first glance, the viewer is taken in by
the gruesome rawness of the characters you depict. But after repeated
views, there seems to be a real underlying humanity in even the most
grotesque characters. Can you explain this stark and layered contrast? I appreciate that you picked up on the overall theme of my work. It is
my intent to instigate the viewer to look beyond surface attributes, be
they attributes of my paintings or of society at large. I seek through
my work to break down the tendency that exists to prejudge and to move
away from xenophobia. The fact this book is considered a "green" book suggests an interest
in social action. Is that theme also present in the paintings
themselves? I think yes in that if my work can in anyway give the viewer pause to
think more deeply about the social discrepancies that exist on many
levels, which I try to cover in the paintings, then I can be hopeful
that a seed might be planted that in turn could grow in a more
action-oriented way.
Social Expressionism
Chris Mars, one-time drummer for The Replacements, is now a full-time artist full of dark imagery that comes straight from the world around us.
