The work of artist and illustrator Alex Pardee has been called a "vibrant undead circus sideshow." His vision is unconventional, rooted in influences ranging from Garbage Pail Kids and 80's horror movies to open struggles with depression and alienation. The characters he creates are a mixture of self-medication and absurdity.
The Walrus Rider seen above is no different. His surreal origin is steeped in tragedy and revenge:
Born with legs of a golden tint,
He'd walk, he'd run, he'd jump and sprint.
There's nothing much he COULDN'T do,
With legs of gold and wooden shoes.
The girls all loved his limbs and knees,
For no one else had legs like these,
But jealousy arose with some,
Cause' HE was having all the fun!
So late one night upon his slumber,
Darkness drenched with rain and thunder.
There he slept and dreamt of blondes,
But when he woke HIS LEGS WERE GONE!
Who would do this tragic thing?
What good is a bee if a bee cannot sting?
And what good is HE without legs at all?
Now he cannot move and he's not that tall!
So he hopped on the back of his bestest friend,
And together they ride as he seeks his REVENGE!
The stylized Walrus is not only the bestest friend of our now legless protagonist, he is also the mascot of San Francisco based Upper Playground, extension of FIFTY 24SF Gallery. Upper Playground commissioned Pardee to design the Walrus Rider in celebration of their 10th anniversary. Los Angeles based TheLOYALsubjects is producing a vinyl figure that will be released later in the month.
Asked to shoot the Walrus Rider for an upcoming issue of Hi Fructose, I decided to focus on the Rider waking from his dream state, imagined to be the real world cracking at his feet. He turns his back on his blonde muse and charges once again into the surreal universe of Pardee's work.
Thanks and credit go to model Jenny Ladner, Stylist Darragh Marmorstein, Assistant Michael Ford, and Fashion Designer Ashley Paige. One of Ashley's amazing swimsuits can be seen on the model.
Hope you enjoy,
Brian
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