When it comes to finding inspiration in dark imaginings. Paul J. Clough has built a creative lifestyle specializing in those things that go bump in the night and give us nightmares.
He is a self-taught, award winning artist originally from the New England area, currently residing in Western N.C.
From early childhood, Paul has exhibited a strong passion for the genres of horror and dark fantasy. He has dedicated most of his life to exploring various creative techniques, which have evolved into a stylized body of work that spans almost four decades, crossing over into several mediums such as acting, special FX make up and character design, prop building, costumed photography, Photoshop graphics, sculpture/assemblage, illustration, writing, band photography and more.
As the creator of Metaphobix Art & FX in 2004, he is very active in the local arts scene, acting in numerous film productions and Halloween attractions, exhibiting with local galleries and working with other artists and performers organizing community events.
"I am often surprised, even in this day and age, at how often I am told that horror and the macabre are not marketable professions." Paul comments. "A lot of people seem to think that the genre has no redeeming personal or social value and so they refuse to take it seriously as an art form".
Sitting in his studio space, Paul is surrounded by books, photos and horror memorabilia, many of which are signed by genre icons such as Stephen King, the late George Romero and Clive Barker.
There is even a photo of Paul in his original "cow skull" costume clowning with shock rocker Alice Cooper.
"I am very fortunate that I have been able to meet many artists who have inspired me for so many years. Their work has a profound influence on my life even to this day.”
Mr. Clough has dedicated most of his adult life to exploring the darker side of life and the human psyche in art and entertainment.
“I have always been fascinated with the psychology of human behavior when people find themselves isolated or confronted by circumstances that they can not control or explain, whether the external forces are natural or supernatural, the breakdown of communication and societal norms is often a common theme in art of a darker subject matter and I will often try to capture that emotion or feeling in my work by bringing a sense of contrast or paradox between fear and attraction, or the beautiful and the macabre. You are drawn in as much as you want to look away.”
“By exposing the monsters in the shadows, it helps me begin to understand and shed some light on the dark corners of the human condition.”
TO ALL THE ACTORS, MODELS, PERFORMERS AND ARTISTS WITH WHOM I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH.
MY WORK WOULDN'T EXIST WITHOUT YOU.
"THANK YOU"
All images and content Copyright: Paul J. Clough and Metaphobix. All Rights Reserved.
On July 16, 2017 legendary film director George A. Romero passed away from lung cancer at the age of 77. I was introduced to Mr. Romero's work at the age of 14 when I saw "Dawn of the Dead" for the first time. This film had a profound influence on me even to this day and is directly responsible for my love of the horror genre and the art of SPFX make up. This is a colored pencil sketch that I produced over the next few days as I attempted to process the news of his passing. I had the honor of meeting him on more than one occasion and will always recall his warm, gentle and friendly manner. RIP George. You are greatly missed.
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