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Horripilations: The Art of J. K. Potter
J.K. Potter's art of the bizarre is widely acknowledged to be the most intelligent and original work to appear in the fantasy/horror/SF realm in years. This first collection presents an extraordinary gallery of images displaying his remarkable technical virtuosity and turbulent imagination. Introduction by Stephen King. 105 color illustrations.
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 28, 2020
Potters' skill with photographic trickery has no peer. No computers just a keen eye and dextorus hands make for some of the most disturbing nightmares on paper.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
February 1, 2021
This I will admit is a strange book - published in the mid 90s (and yes it is another of the Paper tiger titles) this book showcases J K Potters photo morphing and montage techniques.
The thing is that it made me realise a number of things. The first is that it was a book ahead of its time using techniques and styles that would not be picked up by other artists for some time. In addition they techniques here are not those of the high powered computers we automatically assume are at the artists disposal which for me result if a whole world of appreciation of his talent.
This appreciation is reflected in the number of pieces I recognise and didn't even credit them - including a variation of the Anubis Gates I have framed on my wall. I know it sounds like one of those over used clichés but this is a book certainly ahead of its time.
The thing is that it made me realise a number of things. The first is that it was a book ahead of its time using techniques and styles that would not be picked up by other artists for some time. In addition they techniques here are not those of the high powered computers we automatically assume are at the artists disposal which for me result if a whole world of appreciation of his talent.
This appreciation is reflected in the number of pieces I recognise and didn't even credit them - including a variation of the Anubis Gates I have framed on my wall. I know it sounds like one of those over used clichés but this is a book certainly ahead of its time.
May 24, 2010
Potter came onto the scene at just the right time for me: I was in my 20s, the horror boom was in full swing, and he seemed to be popping up everywhere I looked! When this book of his art came out, I was all over it.
Looking at his stuff now, it looks a little clunky, but only because he was a bit of a pioneer in his techniques (although they're rooted in older methods of photo-manipulation). Usually, hackier versions of his style are only seen on the very lamest of rap albums, but Potter's unique sensibilities and knack for bizarre juxtapositions set him in the stratosphere above his earthbound photo-collaging brethren.
The book itself, even without being a fan of his stuff, is superb, as art books go. The running text is interesting, managing to give just enough biographical info, technical insight and tangential trivia to engage the reader without being dull. The captions themselves run from comments by the models, to notes from the artist or even just a mention of a reused image.
One thing that really makes this book a must-have, even for Potter completists (if such a thing exists) is the inclusion of unused images for another Ramsey Campbell collaboration. Barring the publication of that book after this (which may have happened, I have no idea), this is the only place to see them.
All around, this is a perfect art book, even if the art looks less than perfect nearly 20 years later.
Looking at his stuff now, it looks a little clunky, but only because he was a bit of a pioneer in his techniques (although they're rooted in older methods of photo-manipulation). Usually, hackier versions of his style are only seen on the very lamest of rap albums, but Potter's unique sensibilities and knack for bizarre juxtapositions set him in the stratosphere above his earthbound photo-collaging brethren.
The book itself, even without being a fan of his stuff, is superb, as art books go. The running text is interesting, managing to give just enough biographical info, technical insight and tangential trivia to engage the reader without being dull. The captions themselves run from comments by the models, to notes from the artist or even just a mention of a reused image.
One thing that really makes this book a must-have, even for Potter completists (if such a thing exists) is the inclusion of unused images for another Ramsey Campbell collaboration. Barring the publication of that book after this (which may have happened, I have no idea), this is the only place to see them.
All around, this is a perfect art book, even if the art looks less than perfect nearly 20 years later.
October 6, 2007
Photoshop are nonsense, this is the master. You can belive it if you see his work. Read yourself.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews