Robert Burden‘s latest, massive oil painting “Elephantidae” is the result of 18 months of work. The painting shows Billy, the iconic Asian elephant whose life at the LA Zoo has been the center of controversy, surrounded by more than 50 toys related to his species.
“I think this series of wildlife paintings are sort of an acknowledgment of [the] juxtaposition between the artificially cute/hyper-menacing depictions that these animals receive in our entertainment, and the overwhelming majesty and fragility of what they really are,” the artist says. “I love the toys, and I love the entertainment industry, but it also represents my shallow detachment from the real world, especially the ‘wild’ part of it that continues to shrink. Zoos aren’t perfect, but they can give the public a way to experience that very real majesty.”
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In Taylor Schultek’s riveting oil paintings, an urban structure is as much a character as his human subjects. The connection between humanity and environment is often at play, with the art of graffiti often in progress. The artist's own history in graffiti and graphic design seem to converge in building believable backdrops.
The lush paintings of