San Pedro, CA, based artist, Chet Zar's interest in art began at an early age. His parents were always very supportive and never put any limits on his creativity. His entire childhood was spent drawing, sculpting and painting.
Zar's interest in the darker side of art began in the earliest stages of
his life. A natural fascination with all things strange combined with a
short period of early family problems fostered within himself a deep
connection to horror movies and dark imagery. He could relate to the
feelings of fear, anxiety and isolation that they conveyed. These are
themes which had permeated most of his childhood drawings and paintings
and are reflected in his work to this day.
The combined interest in horror films and art eventually culminated into
a career as a special effects make up artist, designer and sculptor for
the motion picture industry, designing and creating creatures and make
up effects effects for such films as, "The Ring", "Hellboy", "Planet of
the Apes" and the critically acclaimed music videos for the art metal
band, Tool. For the last decade Zar has also embraced the digital side
of special effects as well, utilizing the computer to translate his dark
vision with 3D animation for Tool’s live shows and subsequently
releasing many of them on his own DVD of dark 3D animation, "Disturb the
Normal".
But the many years spent dealing with all of the politics and artistic compromises of the film industry left Zar feeling creatively stagnant. At the beginning of 2000 (at the suggestion of horror author Clive Barker), he decided to go back to his roots and focus on his own original works and try his hand at fine art, specifically painting in oils. The result has been a renewed sense of purpose, artistic freedom and a clarity of vision that is evident in his darkly surreal (and often darkly humorous), paintings.
But the many years spent dealing with all of the politics and artistic compromises of the film industry left Zar feeling creatively stagnant. At the beginning of 2000 (at the suggestion of horror author Clive Barker), he decided to go back to his roots and focus on his own original works and try his hand at fine art, specifically painting in oils. The result has been a renewed sense of purpose, artistic freedom and a clarity of vision that is evident in his darkly surreal (and often darkly humorous), paintings.
Images Courtesy of [Chet Zar]
