Intriguing drawings and woodcuts are the hallmark of B.C. Epker (Harlingen, 1968), provoking contemplation on our contemporary situation. Possessing a penchant for landscapes, these works feature one or more figures, alluding to the influences of religion and myths, as well as the never-ending flow of media imagery inundating our lives. His pieces are a melting pot of imagery, events, passions, dreams, and unbridled imagination. Recently, he was awarded the prestigious Gerrit Benner Prize.
A graduate of the AKI, Academy of Fine Arts in Enschede, B.C. Epker completed his studies in 1996. Combining fragments from a diverse collection of images (ranging from historical engravings, pornographic images, advertisements, memorial cards, and postcards), he creates unexpected and unique compositions. Idyllic landscapes serve as the backdrop for a colorful cast of characters in his works, including armed citizens, cartoon characters, Greek gods, mythological figures, and people in traditional dress. Initially, the scenes may seem familiar and accessible, but upon closer inspection, this is not the case. Nothing is straightforward in Epker’s depictions. Concepts such as good and evil, or beauty and ugliness lose their meaning; rigidly-held norms and values are called into question.
www.ftn-books.com has the Lucis Domains book from 2006 now available.
