We spoke with RI native and cover artist William Schaff about the inspiration behind this issue’s cover art and what he finds most frightening about politics. His answer to the latter? “The disingenuous behavior of so many politicians, and the mistrust that causes in the electorate.” We agree, Mr. Schaff. We have truly entered The Twilight Zone.
Motif: Skulls over faces appear frequently in your work. What inspired that style?
William Schaff: In the late ’90s I saw a photograph of comedian Chris Rock in white face. Looking at it made feel as though he was wearing a skull mask. I was vacationing on Cape Cod when I saw it, and was making postcards to send to friends. I was using a lot of old magazines for collage materials, and so I just started skulling up their faces. At first it just kind of humored me, but then I started seeing it as though the viewer was getting a look into the thoughts of the person whose face was skulled in a photograph. I remember looking at a photo of my father shortly after he died of cancer and wondered, “Did he have cancer in this photo?” So I skulled his face up. It was like we — as the viewers — now had the ability to see things we didn’t before. I still go back and forth…the skulled-up faces are used a lot for humorous effect, but sometimes still, I feel like it is a giving us a glimpse into the soul or body of the skulled.
Motif: Where can our readers see more of your work?
WS: I will be involved in an exhibit with Umberto Crenca, and I am excited about this because I think it has been almost 20 years since I exhibited with him. It will be at a space in New Bedford called Groundwork. The opening reception is on October 20 from 6 – 9pm, and I will be showing a variety of old and new pieces. The second exhibit is small works done by me and a handful of other artists. All works are unframed and under $100. That one is happening at Eunoia Gallery in Warwick from November 2 – 4.
More Posts by The Author:
Open & Closed
Local Christmas Tunes
On the Cover: Gather Glass
Adoptables
In Their Own Words…
