We recently came across a retrospective of some the work of Dutch artist and designer Bart Hess at Inspirefirst, and were thoroughly taken with his decidedly sinister usage of unconventional materials — everything from foam and balloons to grass and slime — as strange modifications to the human body. His work first came to international prominence as Milan Fashion Week a few years back, and he’s since gone on to work with Lady Gaga, who is, if nothing else, good at spotting outlandish fashion talent when she sees it. He also often works in partnership with Australian artist Lucy McRae under the name LucyAndBart. We’ve pulled together a selection of Hess’s work, both with McRae and alone, after the jump — there’s heaps more at his website.
Bart Hess, STRP Mutant, 2011. All images courtesy of the artist(s).
Bart Hess, Slime Art Lady Gaga, 2011.
Bart Hess, Slime Art Lady Gaga, 2011. Photo by Nick Knight.
Lucy McRae and Bart Hess, AnOtherMan, 2010.
Lucy McRae and Bart Hess, Grow on You, 2009.
Bart Hess, Photo for Dutch Invertuals PR campaign, 2009.
Lucy McRae and Bart Hess, Dripping Color, 2009.
Lucy McRae and Bart Hess, Spring, 2008.
Lucy McRae and Bart Hess, Exploded View Part 2, 2008.
Lucy McRae and Bart Hess, Evolution, 2008.