Stephen Andrade "New Century Horror"

ARTIST BIO - STEPHEN ANDRADE

I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say that we are in a new Golden Age of horror films. True, in every decade since the inception of the medium there have been high peaks and low ebbs in terms of quality AND quantity, but I feel like the 21st Century has given us an astounding number of excellent horror movies in these first 25 years. These films, whether made by major studios or produced on shoestring budgets by independent filmmakers, are not only entertaining, but like the best examples of art they act as commentary on contemporary society. Aside from blood, gore, and jump scares, these movies speak to us about issues such as misogyny, abuse, societal racism and classism… and killer monkeys. Because while I’m all in on the intellectual angle, a lot of the movies of the past quarter-century have also been a hell of a lot of fun to watch.

For this show I compiled a list of some of the best frightening films from 2000 to the present, then I whittled down the list to some of my favorites. Then my goal was to transpose these movies into one of my favorite horror mediums of the previous century: the Shudder Pulp Magazine. Deep philosophical subtext aside, the films I chose ALSO check all the boxes for terrifying pulpy reading. Killer robots? Check. Ghostly possession? Check. Body mutations, brain-swapping, murderous children’s toys? Check, check, and check. My only regret is that I didn’t have to time to paint ALL the films that made my list, but hey! The New Century Horrors have only just begun.

Stephen Andrade lives in Massachusetts with his wife (fellow artist Kerri Wessel), their daughter, and a slightly indifferent cat. Stephen has been a regular contributor to Gallery1988’s group shows since 2012, and has also had his work exhibited at Hero Complex Gallery and Outpost 512 Gallery. Along with his gallery work, Stephen has contributed artwork for the Magic: The Gathering card game, designed posters for short films, created album covers, and illustrated book covers. He likes horror movies, hunting for horror and sci-fi paperbacks in used book stores to add to his collection, 1960s psychedelic pop music, and making soup. This is his fourth featured show at Gallery1988.