Modern Day Atrocities is a digital art gallery, presented by Nigel Sade, with a twist. In addition to presenting the artists work, each piece has been overlaid with an explanation of the symbolism held within the piece, allowing the viewer to get a deeper glimpse into the meaning behind the art.
-- THE SERIES --
Modern Day Atrocities explores, graphically, issues faced by many of us today. A few are issues that need little explanation, such as abuse, and others are more nebulous but just as real, such as being directionless in your life and relying solely on your looks to get by. These are concepts we’ve all dealt with, sometimes after it is too late to change things. Sometimes we see them but, for whatever reason, are unable or incapable of doing anything. Every piece is done with deeply passionate feelings and personal philosophy on the subject at its focus. The first of the series, Make Me Pretty, was done at the request of the artist’s 9-year-old daughter. She wanted a pretty ballerina and Nigel wanted to create something for her that would be cherished even as she aged and changed. To this end he painted her a message, be true to yourself, and five years later she still holds that advice close to her heart. She was not the only one to love the piece, though. There was an overwhelming public response to the piece and it became the birth of the Modern Day Atrocities series. It is, for now, Nigel’s flagship series. He feels that this series was the turning point in his art career, without which he would not be where he is today. Upon its completion it will have 10 pieces in total.
-- THE ARTIST --
Nigel Sade was always an artist at heart, but he did not start out thinking he would grow up to be an artist. He was very taken with the idea of becoming a scientist. His winding path continued, though, as he graduated college in 2002 with a degree in Philosophy. It was only then that he took the next logical step in his unique life and went into art as a career. Nigel takes the concepts of philosophy and reality, then applies those paradigms to the art he produces. His work falls under Symbolism, and dangerously close to Surrealism. Whether it is realism or abstract, his vision of how the world seems, is ever apparent. This distinctive perspective gives his art deep rich body, a sometimes whimsical feel, and a lingering afterthought that remains long after the art itself is out of sight.