John Casey
Three Faced, from the Little Exorcisms installation, 2000, mixed media, 7" x 4" x 3"
I've always made monsters. Drawings I created when I was about three years old show not only the distortion of a child, but a fascination with skulls, teeth, Spirographic eyes, and invented body parts. My interest with terrifying creatures continued throughout my youth. Monster models, dinosaurs, and horror movies occupied much of my time.
As I grew up, I embraced, and in some cases enthroned, creatures that I once feared. Each monster represents a small personal exorcism, not always evil and often humorous—like the startled laugh you emit when you think you've seen a small face appear in a dark room, only to realize that it's an odd-shaped shadow or object. I create totems for these little exorcisms to inhabit—monsters to house my demons.
