British sculptor shows his art in McAllen

Two women in body suits stand back-to-back, one in white, one in red and they both represent patriotism on different levels. The woman in white has a classic ‘60s style and stands on greenery and flowers. Her hands are open and a picture of the world on her back symbolizes unity throughout the world. Her face is uncovered and her eyes gaze up.
The woman in red stands on garbage and filth with her mouth covered in a metal mask. Oil drips down her body. In one hand she holds a gun while the other remains balled in a tight fist.
Born in London, sculptor Colin Christian always had a fascination with science fiction and comic books. As an introverted and self-proclaimed “geeky” boy, it wasn’t until the age of 15 that he discovered a creative calling.
“I saw the movie Alien and I was like, ‘I don’t know what this is that I’ve just seen, but this is what I want to do,” Christian said, recalling the 1979 classic film.
Christian explained that although he liked his English culture, life as an artist was frowned upon there. He never considered art as a career until he and his wife moved to Florida in 1992.
“American culture has very much a ‘can-do’ attitude,” Christian explained. “And English, they really prefer you not to try. I found it very stifling and frustrating.”
Once he moved to the United States, he began to develop artistic style through everyday experiences and was inspired by an art movement that occurred in the mid 1990s called “lowbrow art/pop surrealism.” This movement, declared by the magazine Juxtapoz, was fostered by elements of pop culture.
“I could see that the artists were speaking the language that I’m of – TV, movies and fashion,” Christian said. “Before, I’d only ever seen classical art, and it didn’t speak to me the way this art did.”
His childhood interests combined with new finds in American culture such as Latino low-rider art and Japanese animation. These became the inspirations for his work.
“It was kind of a mish-mash,” Christian said. “And all the science fiction and Star Trek stuff from when I was a kid kind of all came together, and I started producing these figures.”
His current show, “Fast Forward,” also displays his influence in ancient culture and technology. The exhibit can be viewed at the International Museum of Art and Science until May 13. These fiberglass figures depict the artist’s vision of the future and what will come about with advances in technology. At the same time, he uses architectural lines like those of the ancient Egyptians and Southeast Asians.
“[It’s] the idea eventually that we will meld with machines,” Christian explained. “The ideas of artificial intelligence and the consequences of such things.
One of the pieces, titled “The Butterfly Effect,” is a representative of two possible futures for the human race depending on the path that is taken.
“It’s based on the scientific principle of chaos,” Christian said. “It’s also based on the idea that in an infinite universe anything you can think of has and will happen an infinite number of times. They’re both extremes and perhaps we lie somewhere in the middle. I want people to think about it and think about where we really want to go.”
With his modernized pieces using popular components, Christian’s goal is to be able to speak to people through art.
“It’s done in a language that I’m hoping everybody will recognize,” he explained. “The elements where, ‘Oh, I understand that. I’ve seen that. I know where that comes from.’ That’s really what’s it’s about.”
Christian admits that when he came to the Valley he expected a “Tex-Mex” kind of place, but was pleasantly surprised with the people and the environment. Although Christian has never been to the Valley before, he has high hopes for his work among the natives and plans to return in the future.
“It’s a slightly different approach for this area, but I think it’s so important,” Christian said. “This area is expanding, it’s got a very youth orientated culture. I want them to own this work.”

“Eclipse” - The sculpture “Eclipse” features ancient Egyptian traits with a futuristic twist. The piece and the rest of the “Fast Forward” exhibition will be on display at the IMAS until May 13.

“Champion” - A patron studies “Champion,” a sculpture Colin Christian created from his observations of American life. Christian said the piece represents the epitome of American pop culture for him.