Erica il Cane’s work takes on many forms, from delicate etchings to vast murals, as well as otherworldly short films created with animated models and mixed media. His unique vision combines elements reminiscent of anthropomorphic morality tales like Aesop’s Fables and The Wind in the Willows, with the dystopian political allegory of George Orwell’s Animal Farm and the disturbing patchwork automatons of the Brothers Quay. In his drawings, Erica il Cane exhibits a deft extrapolation that brings to mind Albrecht Dürer’s Imaginary Rhinoceros, not to mention macabre contortions that could be likened to Hieronymous Bosch’s visions of Hell, yet his work is imbued with satirical wit and childlike melancholy that makes it quite accessible.
Erica il Cane takes his visual inspiration from the children’s books illustrations from his childhood (fairytales in particular), as well as the treasure trove of scientific illustrations produced during the natural history craze of the 19th century. With these tools, he projects the hypocrisies of our society (frailty, violence, greed, pride and all of our sins are explored) onto a host of storybook animals and human-beast hybrids in Edwardian garb. I've chosen to include Erica il Cane as I like his art style, and he is yet more inspiration for the anthropomorphic character design.
