Turning the media’s most disturbing images into art
- Text by HUCK HQ
- Illustrations by Craig Boagey
There’s something deeply sinister about Craig Boagey’s drawings. The British artist, who specialises in hyperrealistic, pencil-drawn art, aims to recreate the most confrontational images he comes across in everyday media. This includes – amongst other things – blurred pornography, school shootings, and war-torn cityscapes.
Central Saint Martins graduate Boagey switches between red pencil (for images of a more sexual nature) and blue (for those that are more tragic and violent). Each drawing takes between three days to three weeks to complete. “The blue ones are always more difficult because the subject matter is a lot more significant,” he tells Huck. “I like to juxtapose things, so when you have these very delicate and difficult subjects the blue sort of makes them calming in a way – it takes away the intensity.”
These haunting images have now been pulled together for Recital – a new book published by independent, Dalston-based publisher Ditto.
“I’m not necessarily interested in current affairs, I don’t want to make drawings relating to today directly because it would kind of feel like protest art, and I don’t want that,” the artist explains. “The scenes I like to choose are moments in time which are just fascinating, and a lot of the time these incidents create a trend of other similar incidents. In that way, they become relevant to today without necessarily being stories of the moment.”
“I don’t want to shock directly that would be too forced. I want it to be subtle, that works best for me,” he adds. “There are exceptions but, in general, that’s my approach.”
Blue Lucifer, 2015
Red Drawing #5, 2016
Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni Hanging, 2016
Red Drawing #7, 2016
Viet Cong Prisoner, 2015
Red Drawing #1, 2015
Gaza, 2015
Recital is published on October 26th, by Ditto.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
This erotic zine dismantles LGBTQ+ respectability politics
Zine Scene — Created by Megan Wallace and Jack Rowe, PULP is a new print publication that embraces the diverse and messy, yet pleasurable multitudes that sex and desire can take.
Written by: Isaac Muk
As Tbilisi’s famed nightclubs reawaken, a murky future awaits
Spaces Between the Beats — Since Georgia’s ruling party suspended plans for EU accession, protests have continued in the capital, with nightclubs shutting in solidarity. Victor Swezey reported on their New Year’s Eve reopening, finding a mix of anxiety, catharsis and defiance.
Written by: Victor Swezey
Los Angeles is burning: Rick Castro on fleeing his home once again
Braver New World — In 2020, the photographer fled the Bobcat Fire in San Bernardino to his East Hollywood home, sparking the inspiration for an unsettling photo series. Now, while preparing for its exhibition, he has had to leave once again, returning to the mountains.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Ghais Guevara: “Rap is a pinnacle of our culture”
What Made Me — In our new series, we ask artists and rebels about the forces and experiences that have shaped who they are. First up, Philadelphian rap experimentalist Ghais Guevara.
Written by: Ghais Guevara
Gaza Biennale comes to London in ICA protest
Art and action — The global project, which presents the work of over 60 Palestinian artists, will be on view outside the art institution in protest of an exhibition funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Written by: Cyna Mirzai
Ragnar Axelsson’s thawing vision of Arctic life
At the Edge of the World — For over four decades, the Icelandic photographer has been journeying to the tip of the earth and documenting its communities. A new exhibition dives into his archive.
Written by: Cyna Mirzai