The controversial American singer and performer Marilyn Manson has garnered a considerable following worldwide not only for his onstage antics and dark musical ouvre, but also for his eery watercolour paintings, which explore human emotions, sexuality, detachment and violence. Many of his works depict simplistic human figures wounded and bleeding with various weapons, and in sexually provocative poses.

For A#3, Haider Ackermann has chosen four of Manson’s watercolour works, two of which are the self portraits shown above, alongside a drooping flower entitled Grey Daisy, and a gaunt, coated figure called The Enabler. The works hold an endearing child-like quality, though rendered dream-like and aggressive in the sophisticated use of proportion to emphasise heavy eyes, slim bodies and large heads. The colour palette also works to convey meaning and emotion in the images, with The Enabler‘s vivid green face offering maximum impact of the character’s poisonous nature.