Creative genius Vlad Rodriguez recently unveiled Natum Corpus, a merging of horror movie iconography and high art that resonates powerfully on gut level. It’s a tribute to 1979’s Alien (directed by Ridley Scott), specifically Ellen Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver), inspired by Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait The Two Fridas.
From the artist’s bio: Vlad Rodriguez is an Artist & Illustrator focusing primarily on Pop Culture, Film and Music. He graduated from Peru’s National School of Fine Arts with a Master’s Degree in Painting, Drawing and Graphic Arts. Raised in Peru and currently living in the US, he has worked with Gallery’s, Publishing Companies, Advertising Agencies and Magazines. His visual style evokes Modern Illustrative qualities integrated with Classic Art.
The Two Fridas, inspiration for Natum Corpus
The maternal themes expressed in Natum Corpus (Latin for “Born Body”) are both captivating and horrifying. Ripley makes for a complex study: Her maternal instincts are integral to her character, but at odds with the survival instinct necessary for self-preservation. Those familiar with Alien mythos also know that Ripley has suffered greatly over the death of her daughter on earth, and the death of her surrogate, Newt, at the beginning of Alien 3.
In a confrontational moment with a xenomorph in Part 3, Ripley states: “You’ve been in my life so long, I can’t remember anything else…” Out of context, these words of seething hatred can actually sound romantic. It’s no accident then that the alien hovering behind her glows like a proud papa. Overall, Natum Corpus impresses me for balancing beauty with the uncanny, creating a piece that feels both hopeful and completely nihilistic simultaneously.
Extremely well done!
You can order yourself a copy of Natum Corpus, “printed in Giclée Fine Art Bright White 11 x 14 Inches and available as a collectible AP’s Edition of 10 personally hand-signed and numbered”: HERE. At $48, these will definitely go fast. Check out the rest of Rodriguez’s portfolio online: HERE.
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What do you think of Natum Corpus by Vlad Rodriguez? Do you consider this creation high art like I do? Sound off in the Comments section!
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