Joshua Hoffine
I came across Joshua Hoffine’s portfolio recently and was bowled over. Here is a photographer/artist focusing on horror subject matter, explicitly, and doing so with a defined sensibility that is based on something more than shock or exploitation.
Hoffine states: “I believe that the horror story is ultimately concerned with the imminence and randomness of death, and the implication that there is no certainty to existence.” To make his point, Hoffine stages encounters with a variety of horror movie standards: knife wielding killers, the undead, evil clowns, etc. Often, the foreground figures confronting deadly evil are children, heightening the vulnerability of the situation.
In addition to understanding the foundation of real horror, Hoffine also chooses to present his tableaux in bright colors and daylight or artificial lighting, creating a cinematic effect. Cindy Sherman made the same artistic choice in her Sex series 20 years ago, citing Mario Bava and Dario Argento as influences. As much as I love the gothic sensibility, I also firmly believe that some of the most disturbing horrors can happen amidst bright sunlight, framed by natural beauty.
You can see more of Hoffine’s portfolio at his website: http://www.joshuahoffine.com/
