There are certain nefarious figures that linger in our collective memory like a bad cold — outlaws whose gruesome habits make us wonder, whisper, and double-check the window latches. Or, in the case of Sean Lewis, make art. His series of portraits, which we spotted over at Hi Fructose, interpret some of the world’s most dastardly criminals in bright surrealist tones. After the jump, check out a few of our favorites, and then be sure to head on over to Lewis’s website to see even more of his work.
A famous music producer throughout the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, Phil [Spector] is most famous for his recording technique called the “wall of sound”. Suffering from intense bouts of paranoia he was known for violent mood swings and famously pulled a gun on The Ramones. Spector later shot and killed his girlfriend and appeared in many courtrooms with an assortment of ridiculous wigs. Image Credit: Sean Lewis
A portrait of Ed Gein who was raised by a religious fanatic mother and after her death murdered and dug up the graves of various women. Image Credit: Sean Lewis.
A portrait of John Torrio, an Italian immigrant and prominent mobster during prohibition era America. Image Credit: Sean Lewis.
A portrait of George Gordon, the first Grand Master of the Klu Klux Klan and drill sergeant for the Confederate Army. Image Credit: Sean Lewis.
A portrait of Black Bart, a gentleman who sought vengeance after being wronged by Wells Fargo by robbing their stage coaches and leaving poetry at the crime scenes. Image Credit: Sean Lewis.
A portrait of Ailieen Wuornos who robbed and murdered men after luring them in as a prostitute. Image Credit: Sean Lewis.
A portrait of the Unabomber, an environmentalist extremist who mailed homemade bombs to unsuspecting victims. Image Credit: Sean Lewis.
A portrait of Andrea Yates, who suffered from dementia and under a warped religious vision drowned her children in a tub. Image Credit: Sean Lewis.
A portrait of the Kray Twins, celebrity mob affiliated club owners in 1950’s London, England. They grew up pursuing lightweight boxing. Image Credit: Sean Lewis.
A portrait of Pablo Escobar. Rising from the slums of Columbia, he became one of the richest men ever with his vast drug empire. Image Credit: Sean Lewis.