Illustrator Matt Panuska walks us through the weird worlds of his subconsious

Date
26 January 2015

In ancient times Matt Panuska would have been some kind of shamanistic guide, plying his wards with ayahuasca and leading them through their subconscious with a gentle hand. Unfortunately he lives in modern-day Brooklyn, where DMT-related healing is positively discouraged, so Matt makes his living drawing images that seem born from an altered mind.

Heavily influenced by the mythology of Nordic and Far-Eastern cultures Matt’s imagery evokes inspirations as diverse as William Blake, Hiroshige and Lisa Frank, blending traditional draughtsmanship with digital psychedelia. His client work for the likes of The New Yorker, The New York Times, Lucky Peach and Pitchfork Review is all first-rate, but for the best of his output I recommend the personal work – surreal modern folk tales from a brilliant and original mind.

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Matt Panuska: Barabra’s Birth

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Matt Panuska: Barabra’s Bath

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Matt Panuska: Barabra, The Provider

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Matt Panuska: Barabra in the Wholly World

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Matt Panuska: Barabra in an act of Mercy

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Matt Panuska: The Woodcutter

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About the Author

James Cartwright

James started out as an intern in 2011 and came back in summer of 2012 to work online and latterly as Print Editor, before leaving in May 2015.

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