Sacred Decay: The Art of Lauren Marx

by Lauren Marx (Illustrator)

Fungus blooms and dies, bones weather, and moths form halos around dismembered animals in this darkly exquisite collection from acclaimed artist Lauren Marx.

With an impressive eye for detail, Marx brings her uncanny subjects to life - or death - with awe-inspiring texture and intensity. Birds, beasts, fish, plants, and more blossom radiantly on the page in their cycle of birth and destruction.

Celebrated artist Lauren Marx's first collection highlights work from her latest gallery show and more, with over 120 pages of full-color art. Don't miss this stunning hardcover!

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Nature, Animals

136 pages, Hardcover

Published May 4, 2021

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly detailed artwork of animals in decay. Technically the art was stunning. The subject matter was not my scene though with animals in decay or cut apart. I love to see some of her artwork that wasn't so macabre.

Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss.

[April Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether or not one likes the subject matter, Lauren Marx's work is stunning in its detail and beauty. It's not quite my scene, like I can see myself being amazed seeing one of her paintings, but I don't know that I'd want to live with it and have that whole life coming from death thing staring at me every day. I can't help but admire her work, though- it's just so strong and powerful. The beauty of it sucks you in, then the decay, the vicsera kinda smacks you, reminds you of the eternal cycle. This book provides the perfect compromise- one can look at it whenever one likes, appreciate its disturbing beauty, then put it away till next time. I do wish there had been more textual content- I'd love more insight into Marx's process, inspiration, all that arty stuff. I'd still recommend this though!

[Rodrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Marx's art shows the beauty in decay and putrefaction, it speaks directly to the core of our being, be it horror, disgust, delight or awe. The book has a very small foreword which I think it's perfect as the astounding and breath-taking art inside speaks for itself. Very recommended

[FrontalNerdaty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of wonderfully morbid art pieces by Lauren Marx.

What I liked -
The art is stunning and presented wonderfully in big bold images and striking colours. Dark Horse did an excellent job with the presentation of the book.

What I disliked -
Like many art books there’s a lack of writing. This is to be expected but I’d have loved some insight from the artist regarding the work such as inspirations or the process. There’s a brief section of rough ideas which is interesting but not in-depth enough. It doesn’t take anything a way from the art but I’d have liked more information.

[kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

every single one of these illustrations is so well done and beautiful and haunting and even gory... I'm in awe. they're full of imagination and detail and i feel like i just absorbed my weight in inspiration

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best art books I've ever read. The grotesque beauty of each page never dulls and acclimates you to the sickly decay from page to page. I love the bizarre homages to Virgil's fox and other folk imagery like the two doves in a pome tree falling into rot.

I could look at these prints all day and feel this unnerving ethereal glow from the world Marx has created. Thematically, we see life alongside gruesome, colorful death.

I don't like art, but I love this work.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of life.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grotesquely beautiful.

[SabCo T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From an artist I've followed for some time, one of the most beautiful collected depictions of the beauty of decay and the macabre.

[Theodora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe not my cup of tea but stunning art and techniques

[Tiffany Lynn Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunningly beautiful and macabre.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her work is completely engaging.

[Libris Addictus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Les illustrations troublantes de Lauren Marx suscitent une sorte de fascination morbide, comme lorsqu'enfant, on tâte une vieille carcasse avec le bout d'un bâton. On trouve dans ses dessins des créatures et des plantes enchevêtrées, une vie foisonnante, en mouvement, mais aussi la mort, et surtout une tension entre les deux, une lutte acharnée et infinie. Ces images portent une charge symbolique puissante, viscérale – c'est le mot! Le trait est précis et les détails, impressionnants. L'esthétique me rappelle celle des vieilles planches naturalistes.

Quand j'ai découvert qu'un livre avait été publié, je n'ai pas pu faire autrement que d'en commander une copie, et je n'ai pas été déçue! C'est un ouvrage généreux, contenant de nombreuses illustrations et offrant un bel aperçu du travail de l'artiste.

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[Sarah Alcaide-Escue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbinding.