Alex Grey

Paintings

His paintings can be described as an unusual contemporary blend of sacred or visionary art and postmodern art. His work often depicts aspects of the supernatural world overlayed with aspects of the natural world. Some viewers report that elevated or spiritual states are induced while viewing - which, in the tradition, is the purpose of sacred art. His work has an eclecticism that often integrates auras, human anatomy, religious icons (sometimes reminiscent of thangkas), geometric shapes and tessellations (sometimes reminiscent of mandalas), in natural, industrial, and multicultural situations. The human figures are sometimes shown nude (usually with partially translucent skin), in sexual situations, or meditating. This incorporation of the high and low, the sacred and secular gives his art a postmodern feel. However, the sacred aspect essentially expunges any sense of irony or insencerity often associated with postmodern art (e.g., some people's reactions to the art of Andy Warhol). This spiritual aspect provides an organization that is actually not very eclectic at all, but better characterized as being syncretic.

Related Topics:
Painting - Contemporary - Sacred - Visionary art - Postmodern art - Supernatural - Natural - Eclecticism - Aura - Human - Anatomy - Religious - Icon - Thangka - Geometric - Shape - Tessellation - Mandala - Natural - Industrial - Multicultural - Nude - Sexual - Meditating - Sacred - Secular - Irony - Andy Warhol - Spiritual - Syncretic

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Painting and Music Groups

The rock band Tool has featured his artwork as album artwork for their album Lateralus. He also did the stage design for Tool for the album tour that included massive reproductions of the album artwork.

Related Topics:
Tool - Lateralus

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The Beastie Boys's album artwork Ill Communication featured Grey's work.

Related Topics:
Beastie Boys - Ill Communication

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The cover of the String Cheese Incident's album Untying The Not featured Grey's work Cosmic Elf made specifically for the album.

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Nirvana's album In Utero featured Grey's art as album artwork.

Related Topics:
Nirvana - In Utero

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A CD of David Byrne remixes called Visible Man featured Grey's artwork.

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Michael Hedges's album Torched features one of Grey's Holy Fire paintings on the cover.

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