18-year old Aaron Chang is an artist that works under the pseudonym “scuffedleg.” The Los Angeles-based creative makes intricate works that often feature grotesque scenes. Some of his works may have a story behind them, but scuffedleg wants viewers to reflect on their own life rather than trying to figure out what story may or may not lie within a certain piece. Reflect upon yourselves as you view scuffedleg’s artwork below, and be sure to read our interview with him that follows.
Click on any of the above images to open a gallery of scuffedleg’s artwork.
If you had to describe your style of work, how would you?
Impulsive and unfiltered.
When it comes to creating a new piece, what’s the process like? Do you have to be in a certain state of inspiration?
My pieces are typically a reflection of where my emotions are. I don’t really begin with any specific image in mind, but start with small pieces that I keep adding on to that creates a final piece. Making art is sort of release for me. I do find inspiration from anything that catches my eye, but I mostly take from my present emotional situation.
There’s a lot going on in most of your pieces – many different characters and often grotesque scenes. Does each piece of work you create tell a story? Or do all these factors in a piece simply work to set a mood?
It depends. There are times when I do have a specific story or idea in mind but i don’t really want to impose a narrative onto my work. Instead, I want people to reflect on their lives or emotions within my work.
What does art mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?
Making art has always been a big part of my life. It both allows me to escape reality for a brief moment by creating anything I want on paper. Then looking back at my art, i can see a physical record of what was going on inside my head: the things i was concerned or thinking about.
As I mentioned before, your work features some grotesque scenes. Is there reasoning behind it? What inspired such imagery?
Creating grotesque images is a sort of rejection of the strict rules that society creates that ruins creativity. From a young age, people have criticized the content of my drawings especially having had a very religious background. People around me were so scared of seeing things they deemed as “evil,” which was something that frustrated me and led me to desire drawing images that didn’t conform within social norms.
What goals do you have for yourself as an artist? Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years I hope to graduate college and to be creating art as a career. I want to be recognized for my art and be someone who contributes meaningful work and insight.
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