Theory and Context - Two

Steven Heller | Essays

In Praise of the Anthropomorphic

'I’ve decided that the next big thing is one of the oldest illustration conceits ever: Anthropomorphism, “the attribution of uniquely human characteristics to non-human creatures and beings, natural and supernatural phenomena, material states and objects or abstract concepts.”'

'Observe the platypus, whose prehistoric ancestor emerged from the ooze millions of years ago near what is now northern Australia and is arguably an inspiration for anthropomorphic illustration. This aquatic mammal, with beaver body and duckbill face may have been Mother Nature’s attempt at satire, an early graphic commentary about the state of the primordial world. If this seems absurd, then consider the possibility that nature was playing with disparate forms, not unlike an illustrator sketching out an idea, never intending to end up with this design until becoming curiously smitten by the creature’s strange physiognomy, then seeing in it a metaphor or symbol on which to build a global narrative.'

I first saw anthropomorphism in my work when I took natural objects and added human facial features to them. I agree with Heller, nature does produce some odd-looking creatures and plants, it’s fun to think about out-strangeing nature and twisting these natural things further. The key anthropomorphic feature I liked to use was human eyes. This concept was quite prominent at the beginning of my practice, however now I focus on distorting the human face, or imagery I’ve already created with outside influences.