The ‘Japanese fountain’ that is currently going viral and trending on most social networking sites – is indeed, a fine piece of art. The only thing is, it is neither a fountain, nor is it art in a physical form! This is 3D-artist Chad Knight flirting with the wonderful world of digital art. The works, which he puts up with amazing regularity on his Instagram Profile, have made him an internet sensation – and the photorealistic nature of a few of his best-known works actually sees people googling to check if that can be their next holiday destination!!
Based out of Portland in Oregon, USA, Knight - originally a professional skateboarder – now works as a 3D design manager with Nike. His sensational Instagram posts, however, have taken him from the confines of a ‘job’ to being an internet celebrity!
Most often focusing on the human body, Knight’s gigantic, surreal forms are seen emerging from natural backdrops, in a way that makes them appear like actual art installations on site! Some emerging from water, or perched atop mountains, or diving into sand – the human figures are compelling, awe-inspiring and incredibly ‘sculptural’. The three-dimensional effect, the choice of colours and textures, and the play of light on the surfaces, creating shades and shadows – these are primarily responsible for the extremely realistic outcomes.
“I think I became an artist at conception,” Chad has been quoted as saying in an interview. “It is more who I am as a person than what I do. However, the reason I make art is that I have a very overactive, noisy mind. Creating art is one of the few things that allows me to be totally present. I skateboarded professionally for 16 years. During that time, it served as my creative outlet. Now that I do not have the opportunity to do it as often, combined with being less enthusiastic about broken bones, my 3D explorations have become my new outlet.”
Of course, while some of his artworks look incredibly ‘real’, the digital touch is often apparent. But that does not take away from the fact that the work is astounding – it just gives us a different perspective, a different perception of his creations.
Knight’s influences, he says, “range from masters of the Renaissance and Baroque periods to other modern and digital artists.” While exploring the almost endless nuances of digital art, Knight is also seen creating works with social significance, or those that convey concepts and messages. Some of his poignant works focus on the environment – highlighting issues such as global warming, habitat loss affecting animal populations and others with ecological relevance.
“My art is very much like an encrypted journal that I can share publicly,” says Knight. And share, he does, very freely, asking for nothing except a photo credit in return! “Please credit @chadknight for reposts,” he humbly requests on his Insta and Facebook posts, with commonly seen hashtags of #3D, #art, #digitalart, #Surreal #popart, #sculpture #landscape, #juxtapoz, and many more that adequately capture the essence of his digital renderings.
